m^MIMi i 




•?i;|;!;i|li;| 


:L«^' 


•i 






Qass. 
Book 



TESTIMONIAL . 



Fbom His Excellency. Horace Eaton, State SoPBRt.s- 
tendent: 

I have examined in manuscript, a treatise of the Ge- 
ography of Vermont, accompanied with maps, which is 
about to be published by Rev. Z.Thompson, for tbe 
use of common schools, and am prepared to give it 
my most full and hearty approval. It contains a great 
amount of information that should be accessible to 
every citizen and every child in the State. 

In addition to the matter usually embraced under the 
head of Physical and Political Geography, a general ac- 
count of the geology of the state, accompanied with 
such definitions and explanations in the science of ge- 
ology generally, as will render a competent knowledge 
of the outlines of the geology of the state easily aUain- 
able by all the scholars in our common schools. 

But the work will need no com nsndation with those 
who have seen and examined it ; and no family in Ver- 
mont, that has 01133 obtained it, will b? afterwards wil- 
ling to be without it. 

HORACE EATON. 
State Sup't. of Com. Schools. 

Enosburgh, Sept. 8 1848. 




YERMO^T. 



iVlM 



GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 



OF 



VERMONT, 



WITH 



STATE AND COUNTY OUTLINE MAPS, 



FOR THE 



USE OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. 



BY ZADOCK THOMPSON. 
II 





33 u r 11 n g 1 n : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 

CHAINCET GOODRICH, PRINTER. 



<■' 



Entered according lo -net of Corigress, in tho year LS-iS, by 

Z A D O C K THOMPSON, 

>a tlio Clerk's o£5co of the District Court, for the District of Vormout. 



PR L: FACE. 



The object of this little work, is to enable the youth 
of Vermont to acquire a competent knov/ledge of their 
own state. Most of the geographies used in our 
schools embrace so large a field that Vermont comes 
in for a very small share. The space in them usually 
allotted to a single state, affords room, only for a few 
general facts, and the consequence is that, while they 
enable pupils to answer with promptitude, general ques- 
tions relating to the geography of the w^orld, they as- 
sist them very little in obtaining a knowledge of the 
individual state in which they reside. 

To supply in part, at least, this deficiency within our 
own state, and to enable our young people to grow up 
in a knowledge of our own institutions, and of the ob- 
jects and physical circumstances in the midst of which 
a kind Providence has placed them, is the design of this 
book. In the j^reparation of it, I have availed myself 
of the materials within my reach. I am well aware that 
deficiencies and errors will be found in it. But should 
it be thought worthy of an introduction into our 
schools, and another edition be demanded, I trust that 
superintendents and teachers of schools in the differ- 
ent sections of the state, will take sufficient interest in 
it, to induce them to furnish me with the means of sup- 
plying its deficiencies and correcting its errors ; and 
with these improvements, it is my intention that there 
shall be a corresponding improvement in the mechan- 
ical execution of tlxe book. 

It may be proper perhaps, to say a few words respec- 
ting that part of the book which relates to geology. 
Geology has not hitherto been much studied in our 
schools; and yet it is, undoubtedly, one of the most 
useful departments of general geography. On account 



10 PREFACE. 

of this neglect hitherto, I have devoted a very consider- 
able proportion of the book to the geology of the state ; 
and in the introduction, I have endeavored to give so 
much of elementaiy geology, and such definitions and 
explanations of geological terms as I thought neces- 
sary to enable persons unacquainted with^the science, 
to understand v»^hat has been said on the subject in the 
body of the work. Believing that the technical terms of 
a science should be understood by all who v/ould have 
a knowledge of the science, I have not sought to ex- 
clude them; but have endeavored to explain all those 
which are not found, and sufficiently defined, in our 
common dictionaries. 

In preparing the synopsis of rocks on page 25, I had 
in view the formation of a small cabinet of specimens 
of our common rocks and minerals for the use of each 
school district. A cabinet consisting of from 60 to 100 
specimens, neatly and correctly labelled and kept in the 
school room, to be eniployed in illustrating the lessons 
in this book, it is thought, would aid very much in mak- 
ing the lessons understood and remembered, and would 
create anjinterest in the sciences of geology and miner- 
alogy, which would be enjoyed and manifested out of 
the school room. The expense of such a cabinet need 
not exceed $5, should the districts generally see fit to 
procure them'. 

In teaching the descriptive geography the pupils 
should be required to draw, from niemory, the outline 
maps, upon the blackboard, or upon their slates. ' Noth- 
ing else serves to imprint them so indelibly upon the 
mind. Upon their own neighborhoods they should bo 
required to amplify, drawing their township upon a 
large scale, and locating the various hills, streams, vil- 
lages «Jcc., in accordance v»'ith their own observations, 
or with their knowledge, derived from otiier and more 
minute maps. 

Some errors have been discovered wliich will, in dus 
time, be corrected. 

Burlington, Nov. 11, 184S. 



C O N 1^ E N T S 



INTRODUCTION. 

I. G-eneral Definiiions, - - - 13. V. Igneou-? Rocks, . 
II FQi-ms of Matter, '- - - - 1 1 VI. Arrangement of rocks, 

III. Geological Elements, - - - lo VII. Ages ol Rock?, , 

IV. Formation and Position of Rock.?, 18 1 VIII. Synopsis of Rocks, 

PARTI. PIIYSICALGEOGRAPHY. 

1. GENERAl- FSATT7RES OF VERMONT. 

J Situation and Boundaries, . 2714 Rivers and Sireams, 

2 Extent and Area, . . . '28 5 Lakes an;! Ponds, 

3 Faee of the country, . . 2S'o Curio-sities, 

II- GEOLOGV AND MINERAT-OGY 

. 44 I 2 Table Forma tioai', 



1 Geological Map, 



I. 



1 Soil, 

iiJAUuvium, . . . . 

3 Plei.stocene, Sands and Clays, 

4 Drift, 

SliDrift ScratcUe.^, 

6 Muck, .... 

II. 

Cham plain Group. 

1 Red Sandrock, 

2 Hudson River Shales, 

5 Ut'ca Slate, 

4 Trenton Limestone, 

5 Islo la Motte Limestone, 

6 Calcifcreous Sandstone, 

I 
Sec. I. Talcose Slate Formation. 



QUATERNARY. 

451 7 Shell Marl, 
46 8 Iafu.?orial Silica, 
. 401 9 Clay Stones, 
47 1 10 Iron Ore, 
49 II Pipe Clay, 
•5(i 



8EC0XDARV. 

Taconic Group. 

55 1 Taconic System, 

KS 2 Taconic Slate, 

r>9 3 Sparry Limestone, 

GO 4 Majrnijsian Slate, 

61 5 Stockbridge Limestone, 

C^ Granular Quartz, 



PRIMARY. 

07 1 Sec. 2. 



Calcaresi-mica Slat©, 



7^ 


8 Anchor Ice. 


85 


79 


9 Indian Summer, 


HJ 


SI 


10 Smoky Atmosphere, 


y j 


SI 


U Dark Days, .... 


yb 


R.1 


12 Fireballs and Earthq uake^'. 


80 


s:^ 


13 Aurora Borealis 


87 


85 


14 Variatiensof the Mag. Needlo, 


87 



IV, IGNEOUS ROCKS, 

1 Granit« . . 74 j 2 Greenstone, . . . 76 | 3 Porphyry, 

m, CLIMATE AND INIETEOROLOGY. 

1 Preliminary Remarks, 

2 Temperature, 

3 Winds, .... 

4 Rain, 

6 Snow, 

6 Season;?, .... 

7 Freezing of Lake Champlain, 

PART IL~POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Tabular View,— 82. 

I. ORIGIN OF THE GOVERNMENT. 

1 Claims of Jurisdiction, . 9r| 6 Constitution , 

2 Township Grants, . . 9U 7 Vermont Charters, 

3 Towns, , . , . 9ll 8 Origin of Political power, 

4 Councils of Safety, , , 91 1 9 Town Cfficers, 

5 Vermont Independence, . 911 10 Freemen's Meeting, 

II, DEPARTMENTS OP GOVERNMENT. 



1 Legislative Power, . , 94 

2 Senate, , . . , 94 

3 House of Represintatives, . 95 

4 Executive Power, . . 90 

5 Judiciary Power, . . 96 

6 Supreme Court, . . 96 



7 County Court, 

8 Justices of the Peace, 

9 Probate Courts, 

10 Council of Censors, 

11 Laws and Punishment, 

12 State Prieoo, 



£6 

97 
97 
98 

98 
100 



12 



CONTENTS. 



1 S a'e Hous», 

2 1V!il;tia, 

3 Flag, 

4 Coat of Armi, 
D Eaiiks, 



1 AliorigineBC, 

2 Iidirtii Relics, 

3 Hieroglyphics, 
4Popiiiatioii, 



1 Primary Schools, 

2 Acadtmies, 

3 University of Vermont, 

4 >l;(ldlL'buiy College, 

5 NorAvich Univer.sfty, 
t) Cistleton Medical College 

7 Vl rmont Medical College, 

8 Piiuiiiig, . , 

9 Reli::ioa, 



STATE INSTITTTTIONS 

. lOli 6 Revenue, 



. 102 

. 102 

, 103 

, 103 



7 Salaries. 

8 Lotteries, 

9 Post Offices, 
10 Telegraph, ' 







, IM 


. 


, , 


. 101 


, 




. 103 
. 106 






- 105 



THB PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 

. 107|o Agriculture, 

. 105 6 Manufactures, 

. 1107 Commerce, 

. llOjS Rail Roads, 

V. PDBHC INSTRUCTION, 

. IIS 10 CongregationalistSj 
121 11 Methodists, 
1-4-2'l-Z Baptists, -. 
12;3 13 Episcopalians, 
124 U Freewill Baptists, 
12ojlj Christians, 
125! 1(5 Universalists, 
126; 17 Roman Catholics, 
12PjH Unitarians, 



A'ldison County, 
Beiiuinglou County, 
Caledonia County, 
Chittenden County, 
Essex County. 
Franklin Coiiiitv, 



Character of the People, . . 131 
PA.IT III. GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 
134 VIH Lamoille County, 



11 Grand Isle County, 



.vZY 



. 142 IX Orause County, 

. 14> X Orleans County, • 

. 15jIX Rutland County, - 

. 164 Xn Washington County, 

. 16- XIll Windham County. 

. 17." XIV Windsor County, 
THE ULTLINE xMAPS. 



L Addison, 

II. Bennington, 

III. Caledonia, 
H'. Chitteucieu, 

y. Esgex. 



M 


Mansfield. 


Ts 


Camel's Hump, 


() 


Jay Peak, 


A 


Lake Champlain 


li 


:Memphrtmagog, 


L 


Duiiiiwre, 




CcnP9ffti<5P', 


\ 


D«erti.id, 


r. 


West. 


d 


fetxto 1 s, 


e 


WiiiuD'S, 


f 


Llack V/. Ce. 


g. 


Qua Q.uache«», 


h. 


V'Villl , 



COUNTIES. 

VI. Franklin, 

VII. Grand Isle. 
V ill. Lemoiile, 
iX. Orange, 

A. Orleans, 

MOUNTAINS. 

P KiUingion Peak, 
S Sterling Peak. 
1^. Equinox. 

LAKES AND PONDS. 

B'lmbazine, 
Willoughby, 



XI. 

xn. 

Xlll. 
AlV. 



Rutland, 
Washington, 
Windh.im, 
Windsor, 



I 



R. Ascutney, 

T. Shrewsbury Peak. 



G. Salem Pond, 
H. Joe's Po ud 



Wells Pond, 

filVERS. 



I. ompompsnoosuc 



j. W'liis, 

k. Wells, 

!. Passumpsic, 

m. Nuhiegan, 

u. Clyde, 

o. Barton, 

p. Black, O, Co. 

q. Missisto, 

r. L.im i:lie, 



•. Winooski, 
;. Laplott, 
u< Otter Creek, 
V. Ilubbardton, 
w. Poultuey, 
s.. Pawlet, 
V. Battenkill, 
.. Hoosic. 



Ill 
112 
114 
115 



127 
1Q3 
123 
129 
129 
130 
133 

lao 

130 



isi 

1-6 
1112 
19>i 
203 
209 
2U 



Capitak 
County Seats. 

Villages. 
Colleges. 
Battle Fieldfif 

— Rail Roads. 



INTRODUCTION 



I. GENERAL DEFINITIONS. 

1. The earth on which we live is round like a globe 
or ball. 

2. Its diameter is about 8000 miles and its circumference 
about 25000 miles. 

3. The surface of the earth consists of land and water. 

4. More than two-thirds of the earth's surface is water 
and a little less than one-third land. 

5. The principal sciences, which relate to the earth 
generally, are geometry, geography and geology. 

6. Each of these terms is composed of the Greek word 
*/?/, (ge), which signifies the earth, and another word in 
that language denoting the object of the science: thus, 

7. Geometry is from /?; and (ibtqov, {metron.^ measure 
because by it measurements of the earth were made. 

8. Geography is from yr] and yQacpco .{grapho) to write, 
signifying a description of the earth ; and 

9. Geology is from yr] and loyo;, (logos) a discourse, 
signifying a discourse, or desertation about the earth. 

10. Geography is the most general of these terms and 
sometimes embraces both the others. 

11. Geography is usually divided into mathematical, 
physical and political. 

12. Mathematical Geography has for its object the de- 
termination of the size and form of the earth, and its 
relation to the sun, moon and other celestial bodies ; 
and also the relative position of places on the earth's 
surface, and the construction of maps. 

13. The 6as?5 of mathematical geography is geometry. 

14. Physical Geography describes the features of the 
earth's surface, as consisting of land and w^ater : — the 
extent and form of continents and islands ; — the eleva- 

What is the form of the earth? — its diameter? — its circumference 7— its surface? 
What part is land? — water? What sciences relate generally to the cartti? Of 
what are their names composed ? — geometry ? — geography ? — geology ? Which is 
the most general tenn ? How is geography divided 1 vVhal is mathematical geog- 
aphy .'—its basis ? What is physical geography ? 

'2 



14 INTRODUCTION. 



tion and direction of mountain chains ; — the soil and 
climate, and the animal and vecretable productions. 

This definition of ph)^sical geography embraces me- 
teorology, geology, zoology and botany. 

15. Political Geography relates to the eartli as the 
abode of man. It has for its object the descri))tion of 
all that relates to the social and moral condition of 
mankind ; — their government, laws, resources, religion, 
education and history. 



II. FORMS OF MATTER. 

IG. Matter exists under three general forms, solid, li- 
quid and aeriform, and tliese forms depend generally 
upon temperature. 

17. Water, for example, below the temperature of 32 
deg. of Fahrenheit's thermometer, is a solid in the form 
of ice; — above 32*^ and below 212'^ it is a liquid, and 
above 212° it is changed into steam and becomes 
aeriform. 

18. F/w/fZ^ are either liquids, or aeriform bodies. 

19. lAquids are called non-elastic fluids, and aeriform bo- 
dies, are called elastic fluids. 

20. Fluids, which are permanently elastic, are called 
gases. The three general forms of matter exist abun- 
dantly at the common temperature; the landheing sol- 
id, the ira.'er liquid, and the atmosphere aeriform. 

21. The matter which composes the earth and the ob- 
jects upon it, is also distinguished into organic and iyi- 
organic matter. 

22. Organic matter is that which has been affected, or 
modified" by its connexion with life, or has constituted 
an organ, part, or appendage of a living being. 

All terrestrial life, and hence all organic matter, is 
either animal or vegetable. 

23. Inorganic matter is that which lias not been modifi- 
ed by life, and is comprehended under the term mineral, 
taken in its most general sense. 

What (Iocs the definition of physical geography embrace ? To what does political 
geography relate 1 What its object 1 

What are the general forms of matter 1 Upon what do they depend 1 What ei- 
ample! What are fluids'? What fluids are non-elastic? — elastic? What on gas- 
Besl In what do the three forms of matter exist abundantly 1 In what other way 
IB matter distinguished 7 What is organic matter 1 W'hat'is inorganic matter 1 



rOH-^.IS OF MATTER. 15 

21. Mineralogi/ is the science wiiicli treats of the na- 
ture, form and composition of minerals. 

25. Simple substances are those which consist of only 
one kind of matter, and are more particularly the 
objects of Chcmisiry. They are 55 in number, and by 
their various combinations all known compound bodies 
are formed. 

26. Simple minerals are either simple substances, or 
such compounds of simple substances, as are homoge- 
neous in their qualities and aspect. 

27. Minerals are distinguished by color, form, lustre, 
s^treak, hardness, specific gravity &c. and by chemical 
analysis.' 



III. GEOLOGICAL ELEMENTS. 

23 Geology is the science which ti'eats of the combi- 
nation and position of the mineral masses, v>iiich com- 
pose the crust of the earth, and of the organic remains 
which they contain. 

29. The crust of the earth is that exterior portion of the 
earth, wdiich is exposed to human observation. 

30. Organic remains are portions, or impressions of an- 
imal, or vegetable substances, embraced in mineral mas- 
ses. 

31 Fossils is another name for organic remains ; so 
called because they are usually dug out of the earth. 

32 The science which treats of fossils, or organic re- 
mains, is called pal(Bontology. 

33 Minerals are the elements of geology, all rocks being 
formed of minerals. 

34. Nine of the minerals enter so largely into the com- 
position of rocks, that they have been called the geologi- 
cal alphabet. These are quartz, feldspar, mica, talc, horn- 
blende, argillite, carbonate of lime, gypsum and chlorite. 

35. Quartz is the mineral commonly known in this 
state as white flitit. Its usual color is white, though not 
always so; and, when crystalized, it resembles cut glass 
and is called rock crystal. It scratches glass and cannot 

What is minero!oE;y ? What are simple substances ? — how many ? What is said 
of simple minerals .' IIow are minoralii distinguished ? What is geolopty ? What 
the crust of the earth ! What are organic remains ? What are lossils ? What tho 
Bcieuce wliich treats of fossils? Of what are minerals the elements? How m.any 
oonatiiute the geological alphabet ?■ What their names I What is quartz ? — its color ' 



16 INTRODUCTION. 

<_ , ■ «. I .... .^ ... I.. ■ ... .... J I..I , I - - — , — . _^ t 

be cut with a knife. Q,uartz constitutes nearly one half 
of the crust of the earth. The white stones, and white 
seams in the rocks, in the central and eastern parts of the 
state, are nearly all quartz. 

Q,uartz is an essential constituent of glass. The sand 
used in making bricks and mortar, is quartz. 

36. Feldspar has a pearly lustre, is not so hard as 
quartz, and is less glassy in its appearance. Its usual 
color is grayish white, though often found of other col- 
ors. It constitutes about one tenth of the earths crust. 
Feldspar, decomposed, forms a white clay called kaolin. 
from which porcelain, stone ware and fire bricks aro 
made. 

37. Mica is always in shining elastic scales, and is of- 
ten improperly called isinglass. Its more common col- 
ors are black, yellow and white, or silver colored. It 
constitutes about one twentieth of the earth's crust. 

The large sheets of mica are used for lanterns, stove 
windows, &c. It is sometimes called Muscovy glass. 

38. Granite and gneiss consist of quartz feldspar and 
mica blended together. They differ only in the latter 
being stratified and the former not. The color of these 
rocks usually depends upon the amount and color of 
the mica in them. 

39. Talc often resembles mica, but may be distin- 
guished from it by its being very much softer, by its 
unctious feel, and by its want of elasticity. If a scale 
of talc be bent, it remains bent after the force is remov- 
ed, but if a scale of mica be bent, it springs back on the 
removal of the force. Its most common color is light 
green. 

40. Steatite, or soapstoneis principally talc, and talc 
enters largely into the composition of talcose slate, and 
from it they derive their oily feel. 

41. Hornblende is one of the toughest of the earthy 
minerals. It has a confused fibrous structure and its 
color is usually greenish, brownish or black. It forms 
about one twentieth of the earth's crust, and is most com- 
mon in volcanic countries. It is not so hard as quartz. 

What part of the earth's crust is quartz ? What are some of its uses ? What is 
said of feldspar? IIow much of the earth's crust is feldspar? What its use? 
VVliat is said of mica ? — its^colors ? What part of the earth's crust ? — its use ? Of 
what are granite and gneiss composed? How distinguished? On what depends 
tiieir color? What is said of talc ? lIow distinguished from mica?— its color? 
What is steatite i What is said of hornbleude / IIow much of the earth's cruat 
is horublcnde ? 



GEOLOGICAL ELEMENTS. 17 

42. ArgUlite is the common slate, which is used for 
l-Qofing and for cyphering slates. It is too well known 
to need description. 

43. Carbonate of lime constitutes all our common lime- 
Stones and marbles. It is much softer than quartz and 
^feldspar, and its colors vary throurh all shades of 
gi'ay, blue and brown, from pure vv'hite to a perfect 
black. When crystalized it forms calcareous spar. The 
white scams in the black slates and limestones along 
the east side of Lake Champlain and on the islands, are 
calcareous spar. 

Carbonate of lime becomes quicklime by burning, 
which expels the carbonic acid. It may be known by 
applying to it a drop of sulpl. '■, nitric or muriatic 
acid. If an effervescence takes place, it is carbonate 
of lime. Calcareous tufa and shell marl are carbonate 
of lime. . Any limestone vrhich will take a fine polish, is 
properly called marble. Limestone constitutes about 
one-seventh of tiic earth's crust. 

41. Gypsum,^ called also jjlaslcr of pari-- is the sulphate 
of lime. It is softer than common limestones, and may 
be distinguished from them by not effervescing with ac 
ids. It is used as a manure, for stucc^^, and for making 
casts of various kinds. Crystalized, it forms the mine- 
rals cnlled selenite and alabaster. 

45. Chlorite resembles talc, but is a little harder, and 
has not the oily feel of talc. It is of a dark green col- 
or, and when breathed upon gives out the odor of clay. 
Magnified, it apppears lik« a mass of green scales. The 
presence of chlorite in its composition, is what gives 
the green color and the name to chlurite slate. 

46. All of the preceding nine minerals, excepting 
gypsum, enter more or less largely into the composi- 
tion of the rocks of Vermont. No gypsum has yet been 
found in this State. 

What isargillite? What is said of c.Tibonate of lime ? Its liardness ? — its col- 
ors? What is it called when crystalized? How made into quickJtme ? How 
known? Wliat arp tufa and marl? Wliat is marble ? How much ot the earth's 
crust is limesto.'ie ? What issypsum ? How known from limestone ! For what 
used ? Vv'hat iy sakl of chlorite ? How many of the preceding nine mineralg ara 
foimdinV!.? 



2* 



18 INTRODUCTIO:^. 



IV. FORMATION AND POSITION OF ROCKS. 

47. The water, or liquid portion of the earth's surface, 
consists of oceans, seas, ponds, streams and springs. 

4S. The land, or solid portion of the earth's surface, or 
crust, consists of rocks, stones, sand, clay, marl and ve- 
getable mould. 

49. The term rock, as often used in g-eology, may em- 
brace any, or all of the materials enumerated above, as. 
forming the crust of the earth. 

50. Rocks are divided into two classes, the stratified 
rocks, and the unstratified rocks. 

51. Slrrttijied rocks have their materials so arranged 
as to be divided by parallel planes, while the unstratified 
rocks are not thus divided. 

52. That i>ortion of a stratified rock, which lies be- 
tween two of these parallel planes is called a stratum. 
When two or more of these are spoken of together, they 
are called strata, which is the plural of stratum. 

53. When large wedge-shaped, or ii'regular masses, 
are interposed between'strata, they are called beds. Tho 
strata themselves are sometimes called beds. 

54. When strata of different kinds alternate with each 
other, the3/ are said to be interstratified. 

55. The" two chief agents, in the formation of rocks, 
are xcater and^7-e. 

56. The stratified rocks were originally, evidently, de- 
posited from water, in the form of sand, clay, or marl, 
as we see those materials now deposited in ponds and 
lakes, and were afterwards consolidated by pressure 
and heat — the s-and becoming sandstone ; the clay, slate ; 
and the marl, limestone. Hence the stratified rocks are 
also called sedimentary rocks, or aqueous rocJcs. 

57. The loioest in the series of stratified rock must 
have been deposited first, and are therefore the oldest of 
the stratified rocks. 

58. When the sedimentary materials, of which the 
stratified rocks are composed, were deposited, the strata 
must have been nearly horizontal. If they had remain- 
ed in that position, only the upper stratum would have 
been exposed to view. But now, we find the strata with 

Of wliat does? the liquid portion of the eamh's surface consist ? — the solid por- 
tion ? How is the term rock used ? How arc rocks divided ? What the distinc- 
tion? What is said of stratum and strata ? What are beds ? What is meant by 
interstratified? What are chief an;ents in the formation of rocks'? How are 
stratified rocks formed I What otner names have they 1 Which of them were 
fii-st deposited ? In what position were they deposited l 



FORMATION AND POSITION OF ROCKS. 



10 



every degree of inclination, from the horizontal to the 
vertical. Hence the condition of those strata, which 
are not now nearly horizontal, must have been changed 
since they were formed. This may have been effected 
by the upheaval of one portion, or by the depression of 
another, or by both at the same time. 

59. The pitch of the rocks, that is, the angle which 
the strata make with the plane of the horizon, is called 
their dip. 

60. The strike, or line of bearing of the strata, is al- 
ways at right angles to the di- 
rection of "the dip. 

Illustration.— If a e w be a 
section of stratified rock, e be- / 

ing east and w west, then the ^„ /•-" 
dip of the sratum a e will be 






east and the measure of the dip will be the arc .v c, 
which in this case is about 35^. The strike] being at 
right angles with the direction of the dip, will be north 
and south. 

61. The line of strike, from 
which, or towards which, the 
strata on each side dip, is called 
an axis. If the strata dip from 
it, as at a, it is called an anti- 
clinal a^vis, but if tov*'ards it, as 
at 6, a synclinal a.vis. Fig. 2, 3. 

62. If none of the stratified 
rocks had been disturbed, those 
in the same country would be 
very nearly parallel and con- 
formable to one another. But 
this is not the case. We often find in the same country 
a part of the rocks with their strata nearly vertical, 
other portions less inclined to the horizon, and, perhaps, 
still others horizontal. 

Now it is plain that the two 
formations represented in fig. 4, 
were deposited at very distinct 
periods — a b being first formed, 
and afterwards thrown up, so 
that the strata made an ansrle 




(-i.) 



b 




Is that their position now? What the inference 7 How effected? What is the 
dip of rocks ?— the strike ?— how illustrated ? What is meant by axis .'—anticlinal 
axis ?— synclinal axis ? Under what cuxumstaiices would all straiified rocks have 
been contormable ? Are they so i 



so IKTRODUC'flOi^. 



of about 4:5^. While in that position, the horizontal for- 
mation c was deposited. These formations are said to 
be unconformable, because the strata of one are not par- 
allel to those of the others. It sometimes happens that 
there are, at the same place, several unconformable se- 
ries of strata, which have been deposited at periods 
very remote from each other. 

63. The absolute age, in years, of stratified rocks, can- 
not be determined, but their relative ages are clearly in- 
dicated by their position and order, the oldest rocks be- 
ing those which lie lowest in the series, and becoming 
newer in proceeding upward to the highest, Vviiich is also 
newest. 

64. High and lov/, as applied to rocks, by geologists, 
have not always the usual reference to the horizontal 
level. Rocks Vvhich are lowest in a geological sense, 
often constitute the highest summits of mountains^ 
while the rocks which are highest in the same sense, oc- 
cupy the vallies. Thus in fig. 4 a 6 is a lower formation, 
geologically^, than c. though a portion of it is now higher 
m reference to the horizon. 

65. The lowest stratified rocks rest upon rocks which 
are unstratified ; that is, rocks which shov/ no planes 
indicating deposition, but which split equally y/ell iu 
-all directions. 



V. IGNEOUS ROCKS. 

G6. The unstratified rocks occur in irregular masses, 
often of vast extent, which have been forced outward 
from the interior of the earth, lifting up the stratified 
rocks, and frequently protruding through tliem, so as to 
form the summits of the loftiest mountains.. 

67. Granite, syenite, greenstone, hypersthene and por- 
phyry, are unstratified rocks. 

68. The unstratified rocks are more or less crystaline 
in their structure, and have evidently been melted, or 
in a state of fusion by heat. Hence they are called j^/w- 



llow illustrated? Can we determine the age of rock.s? How their relative 
ages? Wliat is said of his^li and low? How is this subject illustrated ? Upon 
■what do the lowest stratilieu rocks rest ? What is said of the unstratified rocKS ? 
Name the principal ? By v/Iiat general names are they called I Why ? 



IGNEOUS ROCKS, 21 




69. The-io^?eoz^ rocA's, which are exposed to observa- 
tion, v.-^ere not all formed at the same period^ but are of 
different ages, some perhaps being older than any of 
the stratiiie'd rocks, but many of them much more re- 
cent, as is proved by their containing fragments of stra- 
tified rock in them, and by their forming dikes and veins 
in stratihed;focks. 

70. Bikes'cwe seams crossing stratified rocks and filled 
with granite, greenstone, porphyry or some other un- 
stratified substance. 

71. Greenstone dikes, called al- 
so trap dikes, are met with in 
many partH of Vermont, but 

are most numerous in Chitten- 

den countv. The exposed parts j^u^.i^siate Rock. 
iiave a dark rusty hue, and they 

are often mistaken for veins of iron ore. 

72. Several of -the greenstone dikes are amygddloidal, 
that is, they have other minerals embedded in them like 
almonds in cake. 

72. Pofpliyry dikes, and other feldspar dikes, are 
numerous in the town of Shelburne and Charlotte in 
the south west part of Chittenden county. They vary 
in color from a light gray to a dark chockolate brown. 
They are mostly in the shales extending in some cases 
into the red sandrock formation. Many of them are of 
a light grav color without the embedded crystals, v/hich 
distinguisii porphyry. 

74. Graiiit 3 dikes, veins, seams and beds are veiy 
common in ihe northeastern part of Vermont. A most 
interesting locality of granite veins and seams may be 
seen in Mar.shfield near the foot of the Great Falls. 

75. All th J granite in Vermont has evidently been for- 
ced up froi;i beneath, through the stratified rocks. In 
Woodbury ^:ie granite contains fragment of slate em- 
bedded in it. 

76. The granite of Vermont is of different ages, the 
more recent often containing embedded fragments of 
that which is older. 

Wliatissaid nf their ages? What are dikes? What is said of green stona 
dikes? For wha have they been mistaken ? \J'hat is said of several ol' the green- 
»tono dikes? Wh^tissaidof the porphyry dikes ?— their color? tlieir situation? 
VYhat is said of ^r.:nite dikes, veins <fcc. ? what locality is inenlioued 1 what i» 
fisjd of the graniio la Vermont ?— its age ? 



22 INTRO DUCTIOX. 



77. The serpentine in Vermont is probably of igneous 
origin. Although it is thought to exhibit some signs of 
stratification^ it appears evidently to have been" mel- 
ted. 

78. The limestones, too, which are found in bods 
among the primary stratiti^ed rocks, are regarded as of 
igneous origin. 



VI. GENERAL ARRANGE35EXT OF HOCKS. 

79. The general surface of the earth consists of soil^ 
or that which forms the basis of vegetation. Next 
below this and above the solid rocks, are deposits of 
loam, sand, clay and gravel, frequently containing fos- 
sils, tut such species, as are still found living upon the 
earth. The only solid rocks in this series, are conglome- 
rates^ consisting of sand, gravel, or pebbles, cemented 
together by carbonate of lime, alumiiTa, or hydrate of 
iron. These several formations are often comprehend- 
ed under the name of post-tertiary or quaternai^. 

80. Next below the quaternary are deposits of sands, 
clays, gravels, and conglomerates, in which are fossils 
of living and extinct species mingled together. To 
these formations geologists have given the general 
name of tertiary. 

81. Below the tertiary we find an immense series of 
formations, consisting of chalk, sands, clays, oolitesy 
coal, sandstones, slates and limestones. These contain, 
in many places, numerous remains of vegetables and 
animals, but all the species are now extinct. 

82. These rocks have been differently divided by dif-^ 
ferent geologists, some comprehending them all under 
the general name of secondary, subdividing them into 
upper and lower secondary, while others restrict the 
term secondary to the upper division, and give to the 
lower division the name of transition or palaeozoic rocks. 
Palceozoic means ancient life, and they are so named 
because in these rocks are found the earliest signs of" 
organic life. 

What is said of the serpentine in Vermont ? — of tlie limestone ? Of what does 
the general surface of the earth consist? — what next below ] What is ?ai.J of the 
fossils?— what name is given to these formations? What next below the quater- 
nary ? What name is given to these formations? What Lelow the tertiary ?. What 
19 said of the fossils 7 what name is given? How subdivided? 



GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OP ROCKS. 23 

83. Below the secondary rocks we find a series of 
stratified rocks, consisting of limestones, quartz, 
slates or shales, and gneiss, in wiiich no organic re- 
mains have been found. These being the first, of the 
existing stratified rocks, which were formed, have re- 
ceived the name of priinary rocks. 

84. These rocks, on account of their containing no 
remains of living beings, are sometimes called azoic 
rocks, that is, without life ; and because their crystaline 
structure shows that they have been very much chang- 
ed by heat since they were deposited, they are also 
called rrvciamorphic rocks. 

85. These rocks, wlien first formed, may have con- 
tained organic remains, which were dissipated and 
obliterated by the heat to which they were afterwards 
subjected. Many of the palaeozoic rocks afford evidence 
that they have been very much affected and changed 
by heat. 

SG. Next below the primary strata lie the unstratified 
rocks. 

87. The classes and principal subdivisions of the rock 
formations, and the tliickness of several of these divis- 
ions, are exhibited in the following table: 

What below ilie f^econdary ? VVliat nar. c is given Ihem ? Why are they some- 
time? calle;! azoic? Why metamorphic? What is said of their having contained 
organic remains? What lie beloiv the pr,'tna-y strata } 



24 




CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS. 


'Si 

H 

m 

. < 


1 


Divisions. 


1 

Thick- 
ness. 


Countries. 


< 




soil. 

Alluvium. 
Ne-wcr Pleistocene 
Older rieistocene>. 
Drift. 


Feet. 1 

1 

i 
jSoulheni States, | 

200iVt., Canada, 

variable. IN. America and Europa- 


> 

in 

'. w 




Newer rieK>cene.^ J ^^^^ 
Older rieiocene. 3 ', 
Miocene. ^^^ 
Eocene. ' 1000^ 


England, Italy, ! 

France, Southern 1 

1 
States. i 


J 

> 

Q 
O 


Is 


Chalk. 
Greensand. 


600 1 Western Europe and 

500 j Southwestern "U. States. } 


Wealden. ' 

Oolite. 

Lias. 


9i-»l Enuiand, ■ | 
12o0 - We^'stern ! 
1000 J Europe. } 


^ 5 iNew Red sand-^tone. 
^ Magnesian limestone. 


900 Connecticut, western Europe. 

300 


.5 


Coal Measures. 
Carbdnifereous Limestone. 
Old Red Sandstone. 


3U0U1 Vvtfatcru States. 
SOO-O [Virginia, 
1000 J Pennsylvania. 


.2 

lis 

" d 
S d 

il 

o 


Erie Group. 
Ilelderberg Group. 

Ontario Group. 
Champlain Group. 
Taconic Group. 


3600 

1800 

1000 
2200 


N. Y. & Western States. £| J-| j 
N. Y. o- Westci-n States. S m'S S 

c S2 «i <= 
N. & VvCTtvn Sis tea. - ^^ 5 
New York, Vt. £ S-?-? 

— 3 c 

Vt.. Massachusetts. ^ ^ S j:^ 

rt S C C 

— 0/ j: 


< 

5 




Clay Slate. ~1 

Talcose slate. 

Limestone. sipv^r«l 

Gneiss. 
Quartz. 


] 


^ Utistratified Igneous Rocks. 



INTRODUCTION. 25 



VII. AGES OF ROCKS. 

88. The relative ages of rocks, as has been already sta- 
ted. (63.) is determined in the first place by superpo- 
sition. 

89. By examining the fossils in the rocks of different 
ages, it has been found that there are various geologi- 
cal eras, which are readily distinguished by fossils pe- 
culiar to each ; and hence the characteristic fossils have 
become the readiest means of determining the geologi- 
cal position and age of a formation. 

90. There is, perhaps, no place on the earth where the 
wiiole series of formations, embraced in the table, is to 
be found together. But there are many places where a 
large number of them are exposed to view, and these 
have been so thoroughly studied and compared, by 
geologists, and the characteristic fossils of each forma- 
tion are now so well known, that a single isolated for- 
mation containing fossils, can usually be referred^ with- 
out difficulty, to i^s true place in the series. 



VIII. SYNOPSIS OF ROCKS. 

91. The following is a list of rocks found in Vermont, 
and of the principal minerals and elements, which com- 
pose them. 

1. Granite consists of quartz, feldspar and mica, and 
is unstratified. (34) 

2. Quartz is nearly pure silica. (35) 

3. Feldspar consists essentially of silica, alumina and 
potash.* (36) 

4. Mica consists of silica, alumina and iron. (37) 

5. Syenite consists of quartz, feldspar and hornblende, 
and is called syenitic granite. 

6. Hornblende consists of silica, magnesia, lime, alu- 
mina and iron. (41) 

7. Gneiss consists of the same materials as granite, but 
differs from it in being stratified. 

* Only the principal elements ■which enter into the composition of the different 
minerals are mentioned in this synopsis. 

How are the relative ajies of rocks determined 1 IIow are fossils used for this 
durpose.' Ai-e all the series of rocks found at any one inace? How is the age 
of a single isolated formation ascertained ? What "is said of granite 1— of quartz ? 
Feldspar 1 Mica r Svenite f Hornbleude ! Gneiss ? 

3 



S6 IN'TRODUCTIOM. 



8. Mica slate or, Mica Schist, consists essentially of 
quartz and mica and is stratified. 

9. Talcose slate consists of talc and quartz or feldspar, 
and sometimes has a high lustre. 

10. Talc consists of silica and magnesia, and divides 
into thin laminae. (39) 

11. Steatite consists of the same as talc, but it is more 
massive and usually of a gray color. Nos. 9, 10 and 11 
have an oily feel. (40) 

12. Chlorite slate consists of chlorite and quartz, and 
is of a greenish color 

13. Chlorite consists of silica, alumina, magnesia and 
iron. (45) 

1 1. Magnesian slate is a general name, embracing both 
the talcose and chlorite slates, because magnesia enters 
largely into their composition. 

15. Hornblende slate consists of hornblende, quartz 
and feldspar, and is usually of a darker color and tougli- 
or than the preceding slates. 

16. Clay slate. Argillaceous slate, oy Ai^gillite consists of 
quartz and alumina. (42) 

17. CVay consists of quartz and alumina. 

18. Granular Q,uartz consists almost entirely of grains 
of quartz, and is usually of a brownish yellow color. 

Limestone consists essentially of carbonic acid and 
lime. It sometimes contains a considerable proportion 
of quartz or magnesia. In the former case it is called 
siliceous limestone and in the latter magnesian lime- 
stone. (43) 

20. Calcareous Spar is crystalized limestone. 

21. Serpentine consists essentially of quartz and mag- 
nesia verry finely and closely compacted together. Itls 
usually uustratitied; is of a dark green color, often vari- 
gated. and, when free from seams, is a beautiful substi- 
tute for marble. 

22. Greenstone consists of feldspar and hornblende. 
It is often called trap. It exists in Vermont only in dikes 
and when exposed to the weather, is of a dark rusty col- 
or. (71) 

23. Porphyry consists almost wholly of feldspar, con- 
taining disseminated crystals of feldspar of a ditlerent 
color. (73) 

^_ . . _ chlorite slate ? magnesian slate? 

y,crnblei'.de Elate ? clay slate ? clay? greenEtoue quartz ? 1 mestone 7 calcat 



Mica slate "? talcosg slate ? talc ? steatite ? chlor 

y,crnblei'.de slate ? clay slate ? clay ? greenEtoue 

•;p»par? terpoijUne ? greenstciit '? ^'orphwv ? 



STATE OF VERMONT. 



PART FIRST. 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, 

I. GENERAL FEATURES OF VERMONT. 

Situation. Vermont belongs to the northeastern di- 
vision of the United States, and is the northwestern 
state in New-England. It lies between 42°44'and45° 
of north latitude and between 3^35' and 5°29^of east 
longitude from the capitol of the United States at 
Washington. Addison is the most western, and Ca- 
naan the most eastern, township in the state. 

Boundaries. Vermont is bounded on the north by 
Canada, east by New-Hampshire, south by Massachu- 
setts and west by New-York, 

The north line was finally established by treaty, in 
1842 on what had been regarded as the 45th parallel of 
latitude, and, in 1845, permanent monuments were erec- 
ted upon it, at convenient distances from each other. 
The true 45th parallel lies a little to the southward of 
this line. 

The eastern boundary is formed by the west bank of 
Connecticut river. The river belongs w^holly to 
New-Hampshire. The western boundary passes along 
the deepest channel of Lake Champlain from the 
mouth of Poultney river. That part of this line south 
of Poultney river was surveyed in 1813 and 1814. 

To what division of the U. S. does Vt., belong? In what part ? Between 
what latitude does it lie? Between what lonsritude ? What is meant by lati- 
tude and lonjritiide J Wliich is the mo t western townphip ? the most eastern '» 
How is it boinided ? When and whert was the north line finally eslbalished ? 
Which way liom ihia is the true 4ylh parallel ? What iu said of the eaateiu 
boundarv ? 



28 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Extent and Area. Vermont extends through 2°16' 
of latitude, and 1°54' of longitude, being 157^ miles 
long from north to south, and from 41 to 90 miles wide 
from east to west. The average width of the state is 
about 57^ miles. The whole area of the state is 9056 
square miles, or 5,795,960 acres. This includes those 
parts of Lake Champlain and lake Memphremagog, 
which belong to Vermont. The land, embraced in the 
various grants within the state, amounts to about 8551 
square miles, or 5,472,640 acres. 

Face of the Country. — The surface of Vermont is 
generally uneven, and its distingishing feature is the 
range of mountains, which extends through the ^State 
from south to north, keeping nearly a middle course be- 
tween Connecticut river on the east and Lake Cham- 
plain on the west. This range of mountains, being co- 
vered principally with spruce and other evergreens, 
was called by the French, who first explored this part 
of the country, Verd Mont, or the Green Mountain. 
And these French words were afterwards, by omJtting 
the cZ, converted into Vermont, and adopted as the name 
of the state. 

From the line of Massachusetts to the southern part 
of Washington county, the main ridge of the Green 
Mountains continues high and, comparatively, unbroken; 
while, further north, it is divided into sections by deep 
vallies, which allow the passage of rivers and conveni- 
ent roads. 

In the south part of Washington county and near the 
middle of the state, the Green Mountains send off a 
branch to the north east. This, in the north part of the 
state, divides the waters which fall into Connecticut 
river, from those which run into lake Champlain and 

How loiio: is Vt. ? How wide ? What the average width ? How many square 
miles ? acns ? What does this embrace ? How much is land ? What is said 
of the surface generally ? What its distinguishinii features ? What tlie tim- 
ber on the mountain ? How did the name of Vermont originate ? What is said 
of the ridge ol Gr. 3Its, generally ? What branch do they send off? What is it 
called 7 



GENERAL FEATURES OF VERMONT. 



29 



lake Memphremagog, and is usually called the height of 
lands. This range, though generally elevated, does not 
present any very lofty summits. 



434S|Chin, Mansfield Mountain. 

4086 Shrewsbury Peak, 
40S3JCamel's Hump, 
4044 Nose. Mansfield Mt. 
4018 Jay Peak, 
3904iKilhngton Peak, 
3882:S. Peak Mansfield Mt. 
3076 Equinox Mt., Manchester. 



Heights in Vermont above the Sea. 



3320 



2415 
2.340 
2115 

1615 



Ascutney, Windsor. 



Gr. Mt. pass Lincoln, 
" " " Granville, 
" " " Peru, 




» » Walden 
1360 Mt. HoUey Rail R. ' 
1307 Snak Mt. 
1127 Gr. Mt.pass, Sutton, 
1098 " " " Brigblon, 
1035|BuckMt. 
1003 Sugar Loaf, 
912Snake Hill 
997;Roxbury Ral R. *'" 
QOSJVViUiamstowc Sum." 

791 ! Manchester Vil. ~ 
540|State House, 



90 



Norwich U. 
Vt. University, 

L. Champlain, 




When the country was new, and the roads poor, the 
Green Mountains presented a very serious obstacle 
to the communication between the eastern and 
western parts of the state, and the phrase, — going 
over the mountain^ denoted an arduous business. Bat on 
account of the great improvement of the roads in the 
past few years, and, especially, of their more judicious 
location near the streams, the difficulty of crossing the 
mountains has nearly vanished. 

What is said of goins: over the Ih? moautain in early times ? How has 
the difficully been removed ? which is the uigiiost mountain 7 — its hoiglii 1 
3* 



30 PHYSICAL GFOGRAPHY. 

The western declivity of the range of Green Moun- 
tains is, in general, much steeper than the eastern, but 
the territory lying to the westward of these mountains 
is less broken and hilly than that to the eastward. The 
most level townships in the state are in the western 
part, in the neighborhood of Lake Champlain. 

The most elevated summits in Vermont are Jay Peak 
in Jay, Sterling Peak in vSterling, Mansfield Mountains 
(Chin and Nose) in Mansfield, Camel's Hump in Duxbu- 
ry, Killington Peak in Sherburn, Shrewsbury Peak in 
Shrewsbury, Ascutney in Windsor, and Equinox in 
Manchester. The height of these respectively may be 
learned from the foregoing diagram and table. 

Rivers & Streams. The rivers and streams in Ver- 
mont are very numerous, but none of them are large. 
Connecticut river runs along the whole length of the eas- 
tern boundary, but belongs to New-Hampshire, the line 
between New-Hampshire and Vermont, being the west 
bank of that stream. The greater part of the streams 
within the state, have their origin among the Green 
Mountains. All the streams on the east side of these 
mountains run easterly, or southeasterly, into the Con- 
necticut river. Those on the west side run westerly 
into Hudson river, or Lake Champlain. A few streams 
in the north part of the state, run northerly into Canada 
or lake Memphremagog. 

Winooski, Lamoille and Missisco rivers rise to the 
eastward of the highest range of Gi'cen Mountains and 
pass through that range into Lake Champlain. With 
the exception of these and Otter Creek, none of the 
streams in Vermont are navigable, and these are navi- 
gable for boats only a few miles from the lake. Steam- 

Wlial is said of llic declivities ? Where arc the most level (ownships ? 
\Miicli are tlic inosl cicva'cd summits ? V\ hat is said of the rivers and 
streams ? What lie? along- the eastern boundary of Vt. ? To what stafe 
tloes it belong ? Where do most of the streams originate ? What is said 
of the streams on tl'e cast side of the mountains ?— on the west side ?— of a 
few in the north part of the stale 7 — of Winooski, Lamoille and fllissisco 
rivers ? Arc any ol the streams navigable ? 



RIVERS AND BTRKAMS, 31 



boats ascend Otter Creek as far as Vergennes, which is 
about seven miles from the lake. 

The streams, having their origin in the'mountains, are 
mostly short and rapid, and falls, cataracts or cascades, 
are very common. These, in the large streams, furnish 
an abundance of v/ater power for mills and machinery 
of various kinds, in most parts of the state. Saw milis, 
gristmills and carding machines are in operation in all 
parts, and in many parts, woolen factories, cotton facto- 
ries and mills for other purposes are established. Most 
of the modern villages, that have sprung up, have 
arisen around falls, which afford sufficient water power 
for the establishment of mills and factories. 

Connecticut River{a) — flows along the east side of Ver- 
mont, but belongs wholly to New-Hampshire. Its name 
is derived from two Indian words, which signify the 
long river. It rises in the north part of New-Hamp- 
shire, and running between that state and Vermont, and 
through Massachusetts and Connecticut falls into Long- 
Island Sound. The breadth of this river, adjacent to 
Vermont, varies from 150 feet to 450 feet. Its naviga- 
tion is impeded by several falls and rapids. Bellows 
falls, OttaUuechee falls, Mclndoes falls and the 15 mile 
falls are the most considerable. By the aid of locks 
around a few of these falls boats are enabled to ascend 
the river as far as Barnet. The first bridge over Con- 
necticut river was built at Bellows falls in 1785, the se- 
cond at Windsor in 1796. There are now about 20 
bridges over this stream adjacent to Vermont. 

RIVERS WHICH DISCHARGE INTO THE CONNECTICUT. 

The rivers which discharge into the Connecticut are 
twelve in number, Deerfield, West, Saxton's, Vv'illiams, 

What are common in the streams ? What do these furnish ? Wliat 
mills in all parts ? Where arc most of the modern villages ? Where is 
the source of the Connecticut river ? Wiiat its breadth? What is said 
of Its mag:niiudc ? \M)at are the principal fa is ? How has ihe navifa- 
fion been improved ? Vv'hen and where was the first bridge over°il I 
How many bridg:es now ? How many and which nvcrs discharge into 
the Conncctidut ^ 



32 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Black, Otta duechee, Ompomponoosuc, Wait's, Well's, 
Passumpsic, and Nulhegan. 

Deerjield river (h) — rises in Stratton and runs nearly- 
south, about 24 miles, into Massachusetts. It then runs 
south east about the same distance and falls into Con- 
necticut river between Greenfield and Deerfield. It re- 
ceives the waters from about 320 square miles in Ver- 
mont. 

Wantasticook, or West Biver (c) — has its source in Wes- 
ton and Peru, and runs south-easterly into Connecticut 
river at Brattleborough. It is about 40 miles long and 
drains about 440 square miles. The main stream fur- 
nishes but few good mill privileges, but they are nu- 
merous on its branches. 

Saxton^s River (d) — is formed in Grafton, and, running 
easterly through the south part of Rockingham, falls 
into the Connecticut in Westminster. Length about 
12 miles. It derives its name from a Mr. Saxton, who 
unluckily fell into it while engaged, at an early period, 
in surveying the line between Rockingham and West- 
minster. 

Williams^ Biver (e) — is formed in Chester by the union 
of three considerable branches, and running south-east 
15 miles, falls into the Connecticut in Rockingham, 
three miles above Bellows Falls. This river takes its 
name from the Rev. John Williams, who was taken by 
the Indians at Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1704. He is 
said to have preached a sermon here to his feilovv^ pris- 
oners, while on their way to Canada, there being, at that 
time, no civilized inhabitants within the present terri- 
tory of Vermont. 

Black Biver (/) — in Windsor county, rises in Ply- 
mouth, runs nearly south about 12 miles, then east 11 

Describe Deerfield river ? How many square miles of Vt. is w itered by 
It? Where does West river rise ? — how long? — how much does it drain"? 
—its mill privileges ? Describe Saxton's river ? — whence its name ? What 
is taid of Williuaia' river?— of its name? Describe Black river ? 



RIVERS AND STREAMS. S3 

miles, and then south-east 12 miles, and falls into the 
Connecticut in the lower part of Springfield. It is re- 
markable for the great number of natural ponds through 
which it passes, for its numerous and excellent mill 
privileges, and for the dark color of its waters. It 
drains the water from about 160 square miles. 

Ottd Quechee Bluer {g) — originates in Sherburne, and, 
running nearly east through Bridgewater, Woodstock, 
and Hartford, falls into the Connecticut in Hartland. 
It has some very good mill privileges. It is 35 miles 
long; and waters about 212 square miles. The name of 
this stream is of Indian origin, but its meaning is not 
known. 

White Biver (h) — rises in Granville, runs south-east to 
Stockbridge, then nearly east to Sharon, and then south- 
east into the Connecticut at Hartford. It receives three 
large branches from the north, called the 1st branch, 
2d branch and 3d branch. It receives the 1st and 2d in 
Royalton, and the 3d in Bethel. White river furnishes 
but- few good mill privileges. It is 55 miles long, and 
drains the waters from 6S0 square miles. This stream 
was known by the name of White river long before the 
country, in its neighborhood, was settled, and the name 
is supposed to have been given it, by the early hunters, 
on account of the clearness of its waters and the light 
color of its pebbles. 

Ompompoiioosuc Biver (i) — rises in Vershire, runs 
south-east through the corner of West Fairlee and 
through Thetford, and enters the Connecticut in Nor- 
wich. In Thetford it receives the waters of Fairlee lake. 
It is about 20 miles long and affords a number of good 
mill privileges. It waters 127 square miles. 

Waifs Biver (j) — rises in Harris' Gore and runs south- 

For what is it remarkable ? — how much does it water? — what its length ? 
What i said of Olta Quechee river? — its leni:th ? — its name ? Describe 
White river ?— its branches ? — its mill privileges ? — what its length ? — how 
much area drained by it ? — what is said of its name ? Describe Ompom- 
poaoosuc river ? — what area does it water ? What is said of Wail's river ? 



3i PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

east through Orange, Topsham, and Corinth, and joins 
the Connecticut in Bradford. Its principal branches 
are North branch, South branch, and Jail branch. It is 
20 miles long and furnishes several good mill privileges. 
It derives its name from Capt. Wait, belonging to Maj. 
Rogers' Rangers. It drains the waters from 106 square 
miles. 

JVells^ River (A-)— originates in Kettle pond in Groton, 
runs through Long pond and the corner of Ryegate, 
and falls into the Connecticut in the north-east corner 
of Newbury. It is 18 miles long, and affords some good 
mill privileges, particularly at Wells river village near 
its mouth. It waters 87 square miles. 

Passumpsic River (I) — has its origin in a pond in West- 
more, and, running very nearly south 34 miles, falls into 
Connecticut river in Barnet. Its two principal branches 
are Moose River, which rises in East Haven and joins it 
at St. Johnsbury, and Joe's Brook, which originates in 
Cole's pond in Walden, passes thro' Joe's pond in Cabot 
and Danville, and falls into the Passumpsic in Barnet. 
About 445 square miles are drained by this river, a large 
proportion of which is excellent land. The name is 
said to be derived from the Indian phrase, Bas-soom-suc, 
signifying the stream where there is much medicine. 

Nulhegan River (m) — is formed by two branches, one 
of which rises in Averill and the other in Avery's gore. 
They unite in Bloomfield, and after running a few miles, 
fall into the Connecticut near the south-east corner of 
that town. This river drains the waters from 120 square 
miles, and is about three rods wide at its mouth. 
Rivers which jiow into' Memphremagog Lake. 

The rivers which empty into Memphremagog lake' 
are three. Clyde, Barton and Black river. 

It s branrlies ?— its Irngili ?_its name ? Descrtbc VA'ells river ?— what 
area does it water ? Where does Passumpsic river rise ?— what ils course ? 
-—its leiio^th ? — its two principal branches ?— how much area drained by 
it? — what is said of its name? Whni is said of Nulhegan. river ? — how 
Much territory is drained by it ? How many and which rivers cmptv into 
memphreiTiagog laftc ? 






RIVERS AND STREAMS. 35 



Clyde River {n) — has its source in Pitkin's and Knowl- 
ton's ponds in Brighton, runs north-west through Char- 
leston and Salem, and falls into Memphremagog lake 
in Derby. With the exception of three miles of rapids 
near its mouth, this is a very sluggish stream, passing 
through, in its course, several natural ponds of consid- 
erable size. The rapids and falls, near its mouth, fur- 
nish several very commodious mill seats. The length 
of this stream is about 25 miles, and it drains the water 
from about 146 square miles. 

Barton River (o) — originates in the fountains of Run- 
away pond on the north line of Greensborough, runs 
northerly through Glover, Barton and the corner of 
Irasburgh, and falls into Memphremagog lake in Cov- 
entry. In Barton it receives the waters of Barton pond, 
called also Belle Pond, or Crystal lake, and near the 
line of Irasburgh; the waters of Willoughby river, from 
a pond of the same name in Westmore. It is about 20 
miles in length and waters about 160 square miles. 

Black River (p) — in Orleans county, is formed in 
Craftsbury, by the streams which issue from Elligoand 
Hosmer ponds, and, running north-east through Albany, 
Irasburgh; and Coventry, falls into Memphremagog lake 
in Newport. It is a sluggish stream, 30 miles long; and 
waters about 150 square miles. 

Rivers which Jlow into Lake Champlain. 

The rivers which empty into lake Champ] ai-n are 
eight, Missisco, Lamoille, Winooski. Laplott, Otter Creek, 
Hubbardton, Poultney and Pawlet. 

Missisco River (q) — is formed in Lowell, in Orleans 
county, runs north-easterly into Canada, thence south- 
westerly into Franklin county, and thence west and 

Where has Clrde river its source ?— what is said of it ?— its length ?— - 
how much does it drain ? Where does Barton river rise ? — what does it 
receive in its course ?--whcit its length ? — how much area does it water ? 
Where is Black river formed ?— what Is said of it ? How many and what 
are tJ-ie rivers which empty into lake Champlain ? Wh^re is Missisco rivef 
formed 7 ^ 



S6 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY* 

north-west into Missisco bay. It is 75 miles long, and 
drains 580 square miles. It is navigable 6 miles from 
the lake, to Swanton falls. The falls in this river afford 
many excellent sites for mills, particularly the falls at 
Swanton and Highgate. Missisco is an Indian name, 
and is said, by some, to signify much grass, and, by others, 
many water-fowl, and has been spelled in print no less 
than twenty different ways.* 

Lamoille River (r) — formerly had its origin in a pond 
on the line between Glover and Greensborough, called 
Long pond. On the 6th of June, 1810, some persons cut 
a channel for the purpose of drawing off a part of the 
water towards the north, to give a greater supply Ito 
some mills on Barton river. The bank proved to be 
mostly a quicksand, and vfhen the water commenced 
running, it almost instantly opened a channel by which 
all the waters of the pond were discharged in a few 
moments, notwithstanding it v/as more than 100 feet 
deep. The place where the pond was, is now called 
Runaway pond, and is overgrown with grass and young 
trees. The road from Derby to Montpelier passes 
through it. Lamoille river is nov\' formed in Greens- 
borough, and, running nearly west 70 miles, falls into 
lake Champlain in Colchester. There are falls in this 
stream which afford good sites for mills, in most of the 
towns through which it passes. It receives 'vVild branch 
in Wolcott and Brown's river in Fairfax, the former 
rising in Eden and the latter in Underhill. From the 
niimber of gulls seen about the mouth of this river, the 
French, who first discovered it, called it the riviere la 
mouette. In Charlevoix's map of the country, the engra- 

* See Thompson's Vt., part iii, p. 117. 

What its course .' — its length ? — how many square miles does it cfrain? — 
how far navigable? — what is said of it-; falls ? — its name 7 Where did La- 
moille river have its origin? — what happened to this pond ?-^what is the 
place called where it was situated ? — what passes through it 7 — where is 
iliis river now formed 7 — what its length 7 — where does, U empty ?---what 
jjranches arc meiitioiiecl 7-"how did its name or'ginate T 



.RIVERS AND STREAMS. 37 

ver omitted to cross the ts in lamouettc. making it la- 
moucUe. which afterwards became Lamoille^ a very eu- 
plioiiioiis name. 

Winoosld River, (s) or Onion River,— rises in Cabot, 
runs south-westerly to Montpelier, and thence north- 
westerly, and falls into lake Champlain between Bur- 
lington and Colchester. The principal tributaries to 
this river on the south side are Stevens' branch and 
Dog river in Berlin, Mad river in Moretow^n and Hun- 
tington river in Richmond, and on the north side. North 
branch in Montpelier and Waterbury river in Water- 
bury. There are several remarkable chasms cut through 
the rocks by this river, particularly in Middlesex, Water- 
bury and at the High Bridge betw^e.en Burlington and 
Colchester. The water power furnished by this stream 
is abundant, and, passing, for 40 miles, along the line of 
the Vermont Central railroad, it will doubtless soon be 
extensively used for manufacturing purposes. Wi- 
nooski river is 70 miles long and carries otf the w^aters 
from 970 square miles. The name, Winooski, is com- 
posed of two Indian words, winoos, leeks, or wild on- 
ions, and hi. land, signifying the land which produces 
wild onions ; so that Onion, the name by which this 
stream has been generally known, is merely a transla- 
tion of a part of the Indian name. 

Laplot JRirer (/')— rises in Hinesburgh and runs north- 
west into Shelburne bay. It is 15 miles long. There is 
a tradition that thi,s river derives its name from a plot 
by which the whites destroyed a party of hostile In- 
dians here in early times, but it is probably without 
much foundation. 

Otter Creek (u) — is formed in Dorset, within a few 
rods of the Battenkill, and running a little_^w^est of north 



Where does Winooski river rise .'—what its course ?— where di.^charge ?— what 
are its principal tributaries ?~what is said of its chasms ?— its water power 7— 
what distance does the Central rail-roail pass along this stream?— what the length 
o« this river?— how many square miles does it waier?— from what has it its name 1 
De3crii)c Laplot river— what is said 0/ iit name ? Where is Ouer crcci formed .' 



38 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

falls into lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh. It is naviga- 
ble as far up as Vergennes, 7 miles from its mouth. At 
Vergennes, Weybridge, Middlebury and Rutland are 
falls, which afford an abundance of available water 
power. Its principal branches on the east side are New- 
Haven liver in New-Haven. Middlebury river in Middle- 
bury, Leicester river in Leicester, Furnace brook in 
Pittsford, East creek in Rutland and Cold river and Mill 
river in Clarendon; and on the w^est side, Dead creek 
in Ferrisburgh, Lemonfair river in Weybridge, and Lit- 
tle West river in Rutland. It is 90 miles long, being 
the longest stream in the state, and waters 900 square 
miles. It was named by the French the river of otters, 
on account of the great number of otters inhabiting it 
in early times. 

Huhbardto7i River (r) — is a small stream, which rises 
in Sudbury, and, after running south-west about 20 
miles, falls into Poultney river in West-Haven. 

Poultney River (w) — rises in Tinmouth, and in Fair 
Haven is joined by Castleton river, which rises in Pitts- 
ford. Poultney river forms the boundary of the state 
along the south line of Fair-Haven and West-Haven, 
and falls into lake Champlain near Whitehall. This 
river and its tributaries water 250 square miles. 

Pawlet River (.r) — rises in Dorset. In Pawlet it re- 
ceives the waters of Wells' pond, and, running north- 
west, enters Wood creek in the state of New York a 
short distance before its junction with lake Champlain 
at Whitehall. 

Rivers which flow into the Hudson River. 
The rivers in Vermont, which discharge their waters 
into Hudson river, are the Battenkill and Hoosic. 

What its course?— where empty ?— is it navigable .'—where arc falls?— what its 
principal branches on the east side? — on the west side? — what its length ? — what 
area does it water? — what is meant by area? — what is eaid of its name ? Describe 
Hiibbardton river. Where does Poultney river rise ? — what river joins it?— how 
many square miles does it water? What is said of Pawlet river ? What rivere 
from" Vermont empty into Hudson river.' j,_ 



LAKES AND RIVERS. 39 



Battenhill (y) — is formed in Dorset, and runs a north- 
westerly course into Hudson river in the state of New 
York. It waters, in Vermont, about 225 square miles. 

Hoosic River {z) — is formed in Pownal, and after run- 
ning a few miles north-westerly into the state of New 
York, receives the waters of the Walloomscoik from 
Shaftsbury and Bennington, and then taking a south- 
western course falls into the Hudson a little below Still- 
water. The WaUoomscoik is formed in Woodford. On 
the banks of this stream, near the west line of Ben- 
nington, was fought the celebrated Bennington Battle. 
These streams water 180 square miles in Vermont. 

The letters in the parentheses, after the names of the 
rivers, refer to the maps. The number of rivers here 
described is 26, just equal to the number of letters in 
the alphabet. Only 25 of them, however, belong to Ver- 
mont. 

Lakes and Rivers. There are no large bodies of 
water which lie wholly in Vermont. More than half of 
lake Champlain, which lies along its western border, 
belongs to this state ; and also about one-third of lake 
Memphremagog, which lies on its northern boundary. 
Those smaller bodies of water, which lie within the state, 
deserve only the name of ponds, although several of 
them are called lakes. Most of these ponds and small 
lakes will be described in the account of the counties 
in which they are situated. 

Lake Champlain, (a) — reckoning from Whitehall to St. 
Johns in a right line, is 126 miles long from south to 
north. Its width from east to west is very unequal, va- 
rying from one-fourth of a mile to about 12 miles. Its 
average width is about 4^ miles, and it covers an area 

What is said of Battenkill? Where is Hoosic river formed? — which way does 
it run 7 — what stream does it receive ? What is said of tlie Wallooinscoik 1 — what 
happened on the banks of this stream 1 — how much of Vermont is watered by these 
streams'? To what do the letters in parentheses refer"?— how many rivers are de- 
scribed ?— do they all belong to Vermont ? Are there any large bodies of water iq 
Vermont? — how much of lake Champlain ? — of lake Memphremagog 1 — what name 
do other bodies of water deserve? What is the length of lake Champlain l—itB 
width?— average width l^arca 1 



40 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPIIT, 



of about 567 square miles, two-thirds of which belong 
to Vermont. This lake receives the waters drained 
from 4100 square miles of the territory of Vermont, 
which is very nearly one-half of the state. Its depth 
is, for the most part, sufficient for the navigation of the 
largest steam-boats, sloops, &c. It contains numerous 
islands, most of which belong to Vermont ; and several 
of these islands are sufficiently large to constitute 
townships. 

This lake was discovered in 1609, by Samuel Cham- 
plain, who gave to it his own name — Champlain. It has 
been said that Champlain was drowned in the waters 
of this lake ; but this is incorrect. He died of disease 
at Q,uebec, in 1635. 

The name, by which this lake was known to the Abo- 
naqui Indians, was Peta-ud-boucjue. signifying alternate 
land and water, in allusion to the numerous islands and 
points of land. The Iroquois Indians called it Cania- 
deri-Guarunle, or the door of the country, on account of 
its being the channel of communication between the 
Six Nations and the tribes of Indians along the river 
St. Lawrence. 

This lake discharges, through the river Sorel, or Riche- 
lieu, into tlie St. Lawrence in Canada. 

Memphremagog Lake (b) — is about 30 miles long from 
south to north, with an average width of nearly two 
miles. Only about one-third of this lake lies in Ver- 
mont; the other two-thirds in Canada. The interior 
position of this lake has hitherto prevented its being 
much used for purposes of navigation. It is crossed 
by a horse ferry-boat at Georgeville in Canada, and 
there are upon it some other small boats. This lake re- 

From how much territory in Vermont does this lake receive tlic waters? — what 
part of the whole state? — what is said of its depth '—its islands? — when and by 
wliom discovered and namod? — was he drowned in it ?— what was it called by ihe 
Abenaqui Indians ?— what does it signily ? — what did iho Iroffuois Indians call it ? — 
why?— which way does it discharge { "W^hat the length and width of Memphre. 
niaij'o;^ lake.'— how much of it in ^■ermom;— is it much used for purposes of uuvi- 
gatiou? 



CURIOSITIES. 41 



Chives the waters of the Clyde, Barton and Black rivers 
in Vermont, and discharges its waters through what is 
called Magog Outlet, into the river St. Francis at Sher- 
broke, and through the St. Francis into lake St. Peter, 
an expansion of the St. Lawrence. 

Cl-rios(ties. These consist of waterfalls, chasms, 
caves &c. 

Falls. These are very numerous, but, the streams in 
which they abound, being all small, they cannot vie in 
sublimity with the cataracts of large rivers. The falls 
in Missico river at Troy and Highgate, in the Lamoille^ 
at Milton, [in the Winooski at Marshfield and Burling- 
ton, in Otter Creek at Vergennes and Rutland, and in 
Black river at Springfield, are among the most interes- 
ting. These will be mentioned more particularly here- 
after. 

CTia.'^ms. In many places in Vermont the streams have 
worn down channels in the rocks to the depth of 60 or 
80 feet, and sometimes for a distance of half a mile. 
The most interesting chasms of this kind have been ex- 
cavated by Black river at Cavendish and Springfield, 
by Winooski river at Middlesex, Waterbury and Bur- 
lington, and by Lamoile river at Highgate. At Water- 
bury the undermined rocks have fallen across the river, 
forming a natural bridge when the water is low. 

Pot-Uoles. These are circular holes worn in the rocks 
which form the beds of streams where there are falls or 
rapids. They are worn by stones and pebbles which 
are kept in a circular motion by the current of the 
stream. These holes usually var}^ from six inches to 
two or three feet in diameter, and are often from six to 
ten feet deep. They are sometimes met with at a con- 
siderable distance from any running water. One such 



What rivers does it receive from Vermont? — which way does "it dischar-'e ' 
Of what do these curiosities consist ? What is paid of tho falls 1 Which atr) 
referred to'.' What is faiH of chasms? What chasms are nu'iilione-'l ? WJiat 
arc potholes? Hot\- formed ? What ilit ir size ? 



42 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

in Westford near a person's house, and at considerable 
distance from Brown's river and many feet above it, is 
used as a cistern for holding rain water. 

The stones, by which the holes are worn, are them- 
selves, for the most part, reduced to powder andjwashed 
away by the current ; but they are succeeded by others 
by which the process is continued ; and it is common to 
find in the bottom of these holes, stones which have 
been worn into a globular form. One of the most re- 
markable of these was found, while excavating for the 
railroad, in Hartford. It was in a pot-hole about 12 feet 
deep. It is a mass of very compact mica slate, whiclv 
has been rounded into an almost perfect sphere, meas- 
uring two and a half feet in diameter, and weighing 
half a ton. By the generosity of the Hon. Charles 
Paine]of Northfield, it has been deposited in the Univer- 
sity of Vermont. 

Caves. Caves are often met with in the limestone re- 
gions in this state, but they are not generally of very 
great extent. The most extensive which have been ex- 
plored are in Dorset. A very remarkable one is said to 
exist in Danby. One in Clarendon consists of two 
rooms, one 20 and the other 30 feet long. The caves ia 
Plymouth are among the most interesting in the state. 
The principal cave extends in one direction 100 feet and 
consists of seven different rooms. When first explored 
by the author of the work, in 1^18, the rooms were rich- 
ly ornamented with stalactites hanging like icicles 
from the rocks, some of which were hollow and nearly 
transparent, but they have long since been carried off 
by visitants.. 

Where sometimes found? What one is mentioned 1 What the form of the 
stones found in them 7 What is said of that found in Hartford? What is said 
of caves? — of the caves in Dorset? Danby? Clarendon? Plymouth? When 
were the Plymouth cavea first explored ? What did 'hey then contain ? 



CURIOSITIES. 43 



Stalactites are carbonate of lime which is deposited 
from water as it evaporates, or slowly drops, from the 
underside of rocks in caverns. The deposit of carbon- 
ate of lime formed at the bottom of the cave where the 
drops fall, is called a stalagmite. 

Several curiosities of different kinds will be mention- 
ed in the articles on the geology of the state. 



II. GEOLOGY AND MINERALOLOGY. 

All the geological formations in Vermont belong 
either to a very recent, or a very remote, geological era. 
In the general series of formations, exhibited in the ta- 
ble on page 24 of the introduction, all are entirely want- 
ing in Vermont between the quaternaiy drift, and the 
Champlain group of the lower Silurian rocks. 

Now a knowledge of this simple fact is of veiy great 
practical value. Coal has never been found in work- 
able quantities, except in that group of rocks lying be- 
tween the new red and old red sandstone, called the 
carboniferous series. This series is entirely wanting 
in Vermont, and therefore there is nothing in our geo- 
logical formations to warrant the expenditure of a sin- 
gle dollar in search of coal. The same remark will 
apply to salt, that article never having been obtained 
from any of the geological formations found in Ver- 
mont. 

How are stalactites formed ?— stalagmite 1 What is said of the geological for- 
mations in Vermont ? What formations are entirely wanting? Why is a knowl- 
edge of this fact valuable ? What is the group of rocks called in which coal is 
foiuid .' Between what does it lie i What is said of salt ? 



PHYSICAL GEOCnAFIiY 




GEOLOGICAL 

of 1 

VERMO.NT 

L'lKimplam Giciip. 
Tacoiiic Group 
Talcose Slate. 
Calcnrco-micn Slate. 

Granite. 



fiEOLOGY AND MIXER ALOLOGY OF VERMONT. 45 



With our present knowledge of the geology of Ver- 
mont, (the geological survey of the state not being yet 
completed,) the formations may be con.sidered under 
the following divisions: 

rsoH. 

I. QcATERNARY. Superficial Deposits^ ^^'^l^y*"^- 

^ * j Pleistocene, Sand and Clav, 

[ Drift. 

f Red Sand Rock. 

1 Hudson River Shales. 



rn^ ^ ■ J Utica Slate 

f Laamplam group -^ rr. . 



I Trenton Liine?(one. 

1^3 ' Isle la Molte liimestone. 

•T c« I '^ -2 1 Calciferous Sandston-e. 

j o ^ I Roohng Slate. 

I ^ m Taconic Slate. 

1 rp • . 1 Sparrs' Limestone, 

i laconic system, < t.\ ■' • oi * 
^ i ■ ' \ Magnesian Slates, 

. Stockbridge Limestone, 

•^Granular Quartz. 

,'Clay Slate. 

Calcareo-mica Slate^ 

in. Pkimary System. Azoic Rocks, \ Mica Slate. 

Talcose Slate. 

^Gneiss. 

f Granite. . 

IV. Unstr.mified Rocks, Ign<;ous Rocks, -^ Greenstone. 

f Porphyry. 



I. QUATERXARY IN VERMONT. 

1. Soil is that outward portion of the earth's crust 
which supports vegetation. Its principal constituents 
are sand, clay, lime and vegetable mould. The three 
first are produced by the disintegration of rocks, coRi- 
posed of those several materials ; and hence the quality 
of soils depends much upon the nature of the rocks of 
the neighborhood. The best soils are found where 



^\'llat does the quaternary in Vermont embrace.'' Wliat croups of Silurian 
J^^(•k.s have wo? What are the memhers of the Chaniphiin groiipi* — of the Tacon- 
j-c? What are tlo m nibers uf the primary system.' What other name have iha 
primary? Why/ What are our igneous rnck-s? What is soil.' — of what dues 14 
«:i.>asifit. ? -how arc the iLreo iJr.^i produced? -where arc sails best? 



46 GUATERNARY IN VERMONT. 

there is a due mixture of these three ingredients. Too 
great a proportion of sand renders a soil dry, light and 
sterile, and too much clay makes it wet, heavy and 
stiff. 

2. Alhcviwn consists of materials which have been 
washed down by water. The flats along the margins 
of our rivers and streams, called meadows or inter- 
vales, are made up of alluvium ; that is, of sand, clay, 
gravel, and vegetable matter, which has been washed 
down from the higher lands and deposited in low places 
along the streams. 

3. Pleistocene Sands and Clays are regularly stratified 
deposits of sand and clay along the eastern shore of 
lake Champlain aijd^ extending, in many places, several 
miles from the lake. The thickness' of this formation 
is, in some parts, about 20O feet, and the highest points 
of it are about 300 feet above the present level of the 
lake. In Addison county, and in the southern part of 
Chittenden county, the clay predominates in this for- 
mation ; while in the northern part of Chittenden county, 
and in Franklin county, the sand is most abundant, 
particularly at the surface. 

At the surface and at various depths in this forma- 
tion, are found large numbers of marine fossil shells. 
These are found embedded in the strata in the position 
in which they lived and died, with the two valves uni- 
ted and the epidermis entire; and all are such as cannot 
live in fresh water, and, some of them, such as are found 
only between high and low water mark on the sea shore ; 
and, moreover, they are the same kinds which are now 
most common on the sea coast of New England. 

Hence it is certain that these sands and clays were 
deposited from salt water at a very recent geological 
period, and that an arm of the ocean then occupied the 

V^hat effect has too much sand? — too much clay? From what is vegetable 
mould derived ' What is alluvium ? — what examples are given ? What are pleis- 
tocene sands and clays ? -what their thickness ? — how high above the lake ? — where 
does clay predominate ?— where sand ?— what are found in this lormalion ?— what 
is said of them ?— what doss this j)rove ? 



QUATERNARY IN VERMONT. 47 



present valley of lake Champlain and the whole St. 
Lawrence valley as far westward as lal^e Erie. At 
that time all the land in the valley of lake Champlain 
which is not now more than 300 feet above the lake' 
must have been as low as the level of the ocean- and 
it has since been elevated about 400 feet above that 
level ; in consequence of which the salt water was dis- 
charged and its place supplied, in part only, by the 
fresh water of the lake. 

The fossils most common in this formation, are the 
following: 

Sanguinolaria fi/sca (TelTina groenlandica.) This species is very 
abundant in the banks, at places along the shore of the lake, and some 
localities have been observed several miles inland from the lake shore 
and about 200 feet above it. 

Saxacava rugosa. This species is quite common, but not so abun- 
dant as the preceding. This shell being thick and strong, is .often 
found in a very good state of preservation. 

Mya arenaria is the largest of the shells found here. They are 
less common than the preceding, but on some of ihe islands in ihe 
northern part of the lake, the number of individuals is very great, and 
they are often weW preserved. 

JVucula portlandica is found in the blue clay, but is not very cora- 
mon. 

JN'ofe. — For figures of the two first, see Chittenden county. 
Drift. Over almost the whole territory of Vermont 
resting upon the solid rocks and beneath the soil, alluv- 
ium and pleistocene sand and clay, we find a deposit of 
stones, pebbles, gravel, sand and clay, verj'- irregularly 
blended together, and with scarcely any signs of strati- 
fication. At some points, one of the above mentoined 
materials prevails to the exclusion of the others, form- 
ing a bed of sand, or of clay, or of gravel, but these are 
Jisually of small extent. In the drift generally the sand 
clay, gravel and pebbles are compactly bedded together 
forming what is usually called hard-pan. 

The drift is very unequal in depth, varying from a few 

What is said of the valley of lake Champlain? What are some of the most 
common fossils ' What do we find beneath the soil, alluvium and pleistocene, sand 
.and clay .' In what condition .' What is it then called .' What is its depth,' and 
iiow has it been aJTecied since dcposjtedi What is said of the drift material:-.: 

4 



4^^ pHYsrcAL GEOcnAPir 



inches to 100 feet and upwards. Its condition was con- 
siderably modified during the plei.stocene period by the 
action of the sea which then occupied tlie valley of lake 
C'hamplainj and by tlie streams which flowed into it. 
And since that period, water courses have been worn in 
it by exis^ting streams and much of it washed down by 
these streams in the form of alluvium. The stones, peb- 
bles and gravel found in the drift in Vermont, as is com- 
mon elsewhere, are, for the most part, different from the 
yocks on which the drift rests, but are of the same ma- 
terials, generally, as the rock formations known to exist 
to the northwestward of the places where the drift is 
deposited; and these materials are universally worn and 
rounded, as we find them in running streams, and on the^ 
.shores of lakes, and on account of being thus roun- 
ded, the larger stones of tlie drift formation are called 
boulders. 

In illustration of these matters, it may be remarked 
that boulders from the fossiliferous rocks found iu 
place, along the shores of lake Champlain, are often 
found, containing their peculiar fossils, resting upon the 
jinfossiliferous rocks far to the eastward, Boulder.s. 
from the lower members of the red sandrock along the 
lake shore, which is instantly recognized by any 
one acquainted with the formation, are found weighing 
several tons in Williston, Richmond and other towns-, 
resting on the talcose slate formation, and in one case» 
a boulder of this kind, of two or three tons weight, has 
been met with to the eastward of Camels' Hump, in Dux- 
bury. This boulder, was at least 20 miles from the near- 
est rock of the kind, in place, and about 700 feet above 
the level of the lake. 

In the eastern part of Craftsbury, in the western part 
of Korthfield, and in Stanstead in Canada, there exists 

of their forms ? ^Vha! are the larger stones relied ? Wli.nt is stated in illustra- 
tion .' \\l);it peculiar formation is iiu'iitioned m furtl e ■ illustralions : Whai is 
it railed.- U. Vvlnitdoilic bul!.-> coiif^i-tr What io e-.ii of the rocks under the 
i: ri it f 



Q.UATERNARY IN VERMONT. 49 

a peculiar formation of granite, which has been found, 
inplace^ no where else. This granite contains balls, 
usually a little flattened, scattered in it like plums in a 
pudding. These balls are usually about an inch in di- 
ameter, and are compo.sed essentially, of hlack mica, 
having the plates arranged in concentric layers, with 
a very thin deposit of quartz between the layers. 
Now, boulders from this formation, weighing several 
hundred weight, are found in Waterford, Ryegate, and 
other towns in the eastern part of the county of Cale- 
donia, more than 30 miles from the ledges, from which 
they were derived. It is sometimes called Nodular 
granite. 

5. Drift Scratches. The rocks upon which the drift 
materials lie, are every where found to have their sur- 
faces worn down and smoothed by some agency, and, 
in many places, to have numerous, and nearly parallel,, 
furrows, or scratches upon them ; and as these lie very 
nearly in the direction in which the drift materials have 
been transported, they are supposed to have been pro- 
duced by the same agency, and are therefore called 
drift scratches. The general directions of the drift 
scratches, and of the transportation of drift materials, 
is to a point a little east of south, but varies in different 
parts of the state, somewhat in conformity to the direc- 
tion of the valleys and the ranges of mountains. 

The smoothing and striation of the surfaces of rocks 
are most conspicuous when the earth is first removed 
from them. Exposure to the weather tends to oblite- 
rate them. These polished and striated surfaces are 
found in the lowest places, and on the highest moun- 
tains in the state. Mount Washington, in New-Hamp- 
shire, appears to be the only point in New-England, 
which was not reached by the agency which produced 
them. With regard to what this agency was, geologists 

Why are the furrows called drift scratches? — what their direction? — by what do 
they aiipear to be varied J— when most conspicuous .'—in what places fo und 1 

5 



60 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



are not fully agreed. Some ascribe it to waves of 
translation, and some, to marine currents and icebergs, 
when this part of the world was mostly under water, 
and, others, to glaciers, when the country was more el- 
evated and colder than at pr&sent. The probability is 
that all these causes have been concerned in the pro- 
duction of these phenomena^ 

Local Deposits. Belonging to the quaternary divis- 
ion, there are three deposits which deserve notice. 
These are muck, shell-marl, and infusorial silica. 

6. Muck is a deposit of partially decomposed veget- 
able matter. It consists of leaves and herbaceous plants, 
and decayed wood, collected in low wet places, and in 
the bottoms of shallow ponds. It is a valuable manure, 
but is much improved for sandy soils by a mixture of 
clay and lime, or shell marl. It is found more or less 
abundantly in all parts of the state* 

7. Shell-Marl is a white substance, found in the bot- 
toms of many ponds, and bogs, and in low places for- 
merly occupied by ponds. It consists essentially of 
carbonate of lime, which has resulted from the partial 
decay and crumbling of innumerable freshwater shells, 
mixed with a small proportion of clay. At, and near, 
the surface of the beds, the shells are mostly entire, but 
are usually broken, and the particles finer in proportion 
to the depth. 

The species of shells are of the same kinds which 
are now living in our ponds. They belong mostly to 
the following genera ; Paludina, Limnaea, Planorbis 
and Cyclas. 

How produced? What, are mentioned as local depo;sits? \Miat is muck? 
Its use? — where found? What is shell marl? Where found ? Of what does it 
consist ? What is said of the sliells in it ? What genera ? 



dtlATERNAR? IN VERMONT. 



51 





(10) 




Paludina. 



Planorhis, 



Cyclas* 



Marl beds exist only in those parts of the state wher© 
limestone is found. They are most common and ex- 
tensive in the counties of Orange, Caledonia, Orleans 
and Grand-Isle. The most important beds will be no- 
ticed in the account of the several counties. 

Marl is an excellent manure for sandy soils, which 
are deficient in lime ; and mixed with muck, is probably 
the very best which can be applied to such lands. 
Burned like limestone, it makes a very good lime fos* 
mortar, or architectural purposes. 

S. Infusorial Silica is a white substance, resembling 
fine marl in appearance, and formed like marl in the 
bottoms of ponds, and in low places under muck. It 
consists of the flinty shields of animalcules, and has ac- 
cumulated from the decay of the successive races of 
these very minute beings in the same way that marl 
has, from the decay of the calcareous shells of fresh 
water molluscs. 

The most extensive deposit of infusorial silica, knowil 
in the state, is in Hosmer's pond in the south western 
corner of Peacham. This pond is surrounded by granite 
hills, and covers about 250 acres. The infusorial deposit 
averages about six inches in depth, and is thought to 
cover the bottom of about two-thirds of the pond. 
"When taken out and dried in lumps, it is a very good 

Where do these beds exist ? — where most common ? For what is it raluable ? 
What is infusorial silica 1 — of what does it consist ? — where is the most extensive 
cjpposit ?— what is said of the pond? — of the extent of the deposit I— how doesii 



52 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



substitute for chalk. When dried and pulverised, it re- 
sembles magnesia in appearance ; and hence the pond 
is sometimes called Chalk pond, and sometimes Magne- 
sia pond. There is another small deposite of infusorial 
silica, in Maidstone, in Essex county.. 

The shields of more than 20 distinct species of ani- 
macules are distinguished in these deposits, and they 
are some of them so very minute, that it would require 
more than five millions to cover a square inch. 

9. Clay Stones. These are concretions which are 
formed in beds of clay, in various parts of the state. 
They exhibit an almost infinite variety of forms, and 
often appear as if turned in a lathe or skillfully carved 
by art, and hence they are every where regarded as ob- 
jects of curiosity. Their most common form is that of 
a flattened sphere, but various forms are often blended 
together in the most grotesque and fanciful manner. 
They are formed by the mutual attraction and adhesion 
of particles, wiiile the materials of the bed in which 
they are formed, are in a moist, plastic condition, and not 
by art, nor by running water, as many have supposed. 

All claystones contain a large proportion of carbo- 
nate of lime, usually about one half, and hence they 
are never found in clay beds which do not contain lime. 
The usual ingredients in claystones are lime, alumina, 
silica, iron, and magnesia. 

In many places, particularly in the pleistocene for- 
mation, the concretions contain a large proprortion of 
iron and assume a cylindrical form, with a small open- 
ing along the axis like a pith, having the concretionary 
layers arranged concentrically around it like the layers 
of wood in a tree. They often very much resemble the 
limbs, knots, and roots of trees, and hence many sup- 
appear when dry? — how many s>pecies of animalcules have been distinguished in 
it 7— how minute are some of" them 7 Wliat are clay stones ? — what is sa'id of their 
forms 7— what form most common 7 — how are they formed? — what do they con- 
tain 7— what the usual ingredients 7 What is said of concretions in the plei'stocen 
formations 7— what do they resemble 7— are clay stones commou 1 What is eaid of 



ClUATERNARY IN VERMONT. 53 

pose them to be vegetable remains. One of the most 
interesting localities of this kind is near Appletree point. 

Localities of claystones are more or less common in 
all sections of the state. In a clay bed at Mallet's bay. 
in Colchester, they are often found, formed around and 
inclosing, wholly or in part, marine fossil shells. 

10. Iron Ores. The brown oxide of iron, or brown 
hematite, is the most abundant and valuable iron ore 
found in the state. It is found in beds usually, asso- 
ciated with -and covered by the drift formation. These 
beds are most juimerous and extensive along the west- 
ern foot of the Green Mountains. The most valuable 
beds of this ore, which have 5^et been opened, are in 
Bennington, Pittsford, Chittenden, Brandon, Monkton 
and Colchester, on the west side of the mountains, and 
in PlymoQth on the cast side. 

Associated with this ore at several places, the oxide 
of manganese \ii found in large quantities, particularly 
at Bennington, Chittenden and Plymouth. From the 
two former places much of it has been sent to market. 

Manganese is used in the preparation of bleaching 
pow^der (cliloride of lime) and by glass makers to cor- 
rect the green tinge occasioned by the presence of iron. 
A certain proportion of it gives to glass a beautiful 
violet color, and a still larger proportion makes it black. 
Hence it i-s employed in pottery for violet and black 
glazings. 

Bog Iron Ore is found in low, wet places, in various 
parts of the state, at many of which it is now iiithe pro- 
cess of formation. 

Iron Sand is found at several places along the shore 
of lake Champlain, in considerable quantities, and it is 
found diffused in the sand and gravel over much of the 
western part of the state. At Clay point, in Colchester, 
through a space of several acres, the sand is strongly 

brown iron ore ? — how situated ? — \Yliere are beds most numerous 1 — where are the 
most important beds 7 — what is o/len associated with it? — where 1 — wliat its usei 
.Wbat is said of bog iron or^l— of iron sand 1— of ochre 7— of white clay?— fof 

.5* 



54 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHV. 

cemented together by hydrate of iron and manganese, 
to the depth of eight feet or more. 

Associated with brown iron ore, we usually find yel- 
Into ochre. Extensive beds of ochre are also found in 
parts of the state where no solid brown ore is known to 
exist. One of the largest of the deposits of ochre which 
has been opened in the state, is at Hydepark, in Lamoille 
county ; but the beds in Bennington have hithertoyield- 
ed the greatest quantity for market. 

11. Pipe Clay. White Cloy, or Kaolin, is another kind of 
local deposit, which is found under circumstances veiy 
similar to those of the brown iron ore, and often asso- 
ciated v/ith it. The most valuable beds of this clay, 
which have yet been opened, are in Bennington and 
Monkton. It is found also in Dorset, Wallingford, Chit- 
tenden, and Brandon. This clay is very valuable for 
the manufacture of fire bricks, stone ware, and the finer 
kinds of pottery. 

The term Kaolin is now generally restricted to such 
clays as are known to have' been produced by the de- 
composition of feldspar. 

Beds of clay and sand, suitable for bricks and for 
coarse pottery, are found in almost every town. 

Common bricks and earthen ware derive their brown- 
ish red color from the presence of iron, which, in burn- 
inar, is converted into the red oxide of iron. 



II. SECONDARY IN VERMONT. 

Palceozoic — Lower Silurian, 

The secondary rocks in Vermont all belong to that 
lower division of fossiliferous rocks, which is known in 
geology under the name of transition or palcBozoic, and 
to that subdivision denominated loicer silurian. They 

what valuable 1 What is said of common clav 1 Why do bricks turn red in bum 
ing ? To what do the secondary of Vermont belong?— to what Bubdivisionl— in- 



SECONDARY IN VERMONT. 55 

are embraced in two groups, the Champlain and the 
Taconic, 

SECTION I. CHAMPLAIN GROUP. 

The Champlain group consists of six members, viz: 
the Red Sandrock, Hudson River Shales, Utica Slate, 
Trenton Limestone, Isle la Motte Limestone, and Cal- 
ciferous Sandstone. 

Red Sandrock. The series of rocks which we com- 
prehend under this name, extends from north to south 
along nearly the whole length of lake Champlain. The^ 
western limit of this series, lies, for the most part, 
some little distance from the shore of the lake to the 
eastward; but from Shelburne to St. Albans bay, it 
forms much of the lake shore. This w^estern limit of 
the series is marked by a line of hills, which are usually 
steep and precipitous on the west side, having a gentle 
slope towards the east. Snake mountain, in Addison, 
Buck mountain, in Waltham, and the Sugar Loaf and 
Glebe hill, in Charlotte, are some of the most consider- 
able uplifts. Lonerock point, in Burlington, and Mal- 
let's Head, in Colchester, are in the same line of hills. 
This series of rocks has an average extent, from west 
to east, of about 5 or 6 miles, but varies considerably 
in different parts. The rocks all have an eastern dip, 
varying from 5*^ to 25°, and are succeeded on the east 
by the Taconic and Primary rocks. 

The rocks of this series differ very much in color and 
in their composition, or lithological character. The 
lower strata are, in many places, considerably calca- 
reous, that is, they contain considerable lime mixed 
with the siliceous sand. They are thick bedded, and, 
in some places, the stratification is so much obliterated 
as to give them the appearance of an igneous or un- 
stratified rock. The color of this portion is often gray, 

what groups are they embraced ? How many members in the Champlain group ? — 
what are they 1 What is the extent of the red sandrock I— its western limits ?— by 
what marked ?— what are the names of some of them 1 — what its width ? — the dip of 
the rocks T— do the rocks differ ? What is said of the lower strata 2— what of the 



56 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

or variegated with different shades of reddish brown 
and yellowish white. Some of these strata are suffi- 
ciently calcareous to admit of being polished without 
much difficulty^ and make a very beautiful variegated 
marble. 

The middle portion of the red sandrock series is al- 
most entirely siliceous, and is, through a gre-at part of 
its extent, of a dark reddish brown color. It is the 
color of this portion which has given" name to the se- 
ries. Nor is this color uniform, nor, indeed, always 
present, even in the middle portion of the series. In 
some parts, the coloring matter seems to be almost, or 
entirely, wanting; and in places where the strata gen- 
erally are most highly colored, we sometimes find a 
single stratum of white quartz sandstone, . only a few 
inches thick, lying between tvro colored strata, and ex- 
tending through a considerable distance. An example 
of this may be seen in Willard's quarry, half a mile 
^outh of the village of Burlington. 

The colored strata of this series furnish a very beau- 
tiful stone for foundations and underpinnings of build- 
ings, and, though somewhat refractory and difficult to 
w^ork, it is extensively, used /or those purposes in the 
villages in the western part of the state. The founda- 
tions of the greater part of the buildings in Burlington 
are of thisjiiaterial. 

Some of the strata of this series are so entirely sili- 
ceous and free from coloring m.atter as to be suitable 
for the manufacture of glass, and have been used to 
some extent for that purpose. 

Glass consists essentially of silica (quartz) and potash 
or soda. Other substances are used with these in the 
manufacture of the different kinds of glass, among 
which are oxide of lead, lime, and manganese. 

From the middle portion of the red-sandrock series 



middle portion ?— what of the colored strata 1 For what have some of the strata 
.been used 7 What docs glass consist of 1 What do the strata become in proce.ea- 



SECONDARY IN VERMONT. 57 

the strata become more and more calcareous in pro- 
ceeding upward and eastward, and at length in many 
places pass into a very pure limestone. This limestone 
is generally of a bluish color, but in some places, as in 
the eastern part of Shelburne, its color is pure white. 
It makes excellent quicklime, which is extensively ma- 
nufactured and transported into the interior of the State, 
where there is no good limestone. 

Limestone consists of lime combined with carbonic 
acid. Quicldime is made by heating limestone in a kiln 
till the carbonic acid is separated fr )m it and driven 
off in the form of gas. The stone is then much lighter 
than before it was heated, and has a strong attraction 
for water. If water be poured upon it, the water is 
consolidated in the lime, heat is given off, and the lime- 
stone crumbles to pieces in the form of a white pow- 
der. This process is called slaking the lime. 

Portions of the limestone of this series may here- 
after be found suitable to be worked for marble. This 
limestone is found in greatest purity in the towns of 
Charlotte, Hinesburgh, Shelburne, Burlington and Col- 
chester. 

The red sandrock series in Vermont contains very 
fes^j fossils. Wave and ripple marks are very nume- 
rous and very distinct upon the strata in many places, 
and the marks of rain drops are also quite common. 
Impressions are also met with having much resem- 
blance to the foot-prints of animals, but have not yet 
been positively ascertained to be such. 

In several places in this formation there are layers 
made up of what have \}Qei\ called fucoides, but the 
forms are very indistinct. 

The wave and ripple marks, the impressions of rain 
drops, &c., were made in the sand of the beach, which 

ing upward? Wliat the color of limestone ? — what use is made of it?— of what 
does itconsisf? How is quick lime made? — what the eifect of putting water on 
quick lime ? — what becomes of the water? — what is this process called ? In what 
towns is this limestone purest? Are fossils common m this rock 7 What are 
numerous] — what impressions J UuJer what circumstances wero these works 



58 PnTSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



Was afterwards consolidated into rock without destroy- 
ing their form. 

Fucoides are so called from their supposed resem- 
blance to a genus of marine plants, or sea-weeds, call- 
ed /z^cz^*. 

In some of the stata in this formation in Highgate, 
which have the red color of the middle portion of the 
series, the fossils are quite numerous, but generally in 
a bad state of preservation. They consist for the most 
part of the central portions of the bucklers of trilobites. 
A few bivalve shells have been found at this locality, 
which appear to belong to the genus Atrypa. 

Trilobites are the remains of crustacean 
animals which are formed of three lobes. 
The name is from ires^ three, and lohus, lobe. 
Figure 11 exhibits their general form. Bi- 
valve shells are such as consist of two parts 
like the clam, oyster, &c. 

The minerals found in the red sandrock series ar& 
not very numerous. Red and brown oxide and sul- 
phuret of iron are not uncommon. The brown oxide 
is found in abundance in Colchester in contact with 
siliceous limestone and covered with drift. Hornstone, 
jasper and jaspery iron ore, quartz crystals, and cal- 
careous spar, are not uncommon in the siliceous lime- 
stone. 

Hudson River Shales. The rock lying next beneath 
the red sandrock series is called by this name, because 
it is so fally developed along Hudson River. In Ver- 
mont these shales occupy a narrow belt along the east 
side of Lake Champlain, forming in many places the 
bank of the lake. This is the case through almost the 
entire distance from Charlotte to Highgate, Juniper 




made'?— what la vers are mentioned? Why are fucoides so called? What is said 
of the fossils in this rock in Highgate 1 What are trilobites? What are bivalve 
shells ? Wliat minerals are foimd in the red sandrock ? What is said of the H\id- 
$on river shales ?— why so called?— what do they occupy in Vermont?— what ^ 



eECONiDARY iN VERMONT. 69 



Island, most of the small islands east of Grand Isle and 
North Hero, and the township of Alburgh belong to 
this formation. 

In some places these shales have an even slaty struc- 
ture, but they are for the most part very much shiver- 
ed and contorted, and abound in seams of calcareous 
span Many portions of these shales consist of flatten* 
ed ovoid, or wedge-shaped masses, which readily sepa- 
rate from each other, and w^hich have a fine black glossy 
surface resembling coah This circumstance has led 
many to suppose that coal may be found in connexion 
with them, and in several places a considerable amount 
of labor has been expended in digging into them in the 
vain search for coal. These shales, though they may 
resemble in appearance some of the shales of the coal 
formation, are well known, by every geologist, to be- 
long to a much earlier geological period. 

The color of these shales is generally quite dark, and 
in many places a coal black, and the compact masses of 
it which are traversed in various directions by fine 
seams of white spar, are sometimes very beautifuL 

Calcareous spar, sulphuret of iron, and quartz crys- 
tals are common in these shales, and the strata are in 
many places crossed by dikes of greenstone and por- 
phyry. 

No fossils have been found in these shales in Ver- 
mont, but in some places they abound in concretions. 

Utica Slate. The Utica slate is a black shaly mass 
of rock lying beneath the Hudson River shales, and 
cropping out for the most part in Vermont to the west- 
ward of those shales. This formation occupies but a 
small extent of surface in this State, but is well expos- 
ed at numerous places along the shore of Lake Cham- 
plain to the southward of Burlington, and on many of 

eaid of their structure 1— why have they been thought to afTord mdications of coal ? 
—has coal been sought in them 7— will it be four^df What is the color of these 
ehalesi— by what arc they traversed?— what are common in tbemV- do they con- 
tain fossils J Whdi is Said of Utica slate ]~where well exposed ?— what is said of 



60 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



the islands to the northward of that town. It is in 
some places compact and thick bedded, and in others 
breaks into regular jointed masses. It rapidly dis- 
integrates, or crumbles to pieces by exposure to the 
weather, assuming an ash-gray color. The line of junc- 
tion between the Hudson River shales and the Utica 
slate in Vermont is not easily traced, A considerable 
portion of it is covered by the waters of the lake.. 

The Utica slate, as well as the Hudson River shales, 
forms the basis of an excellent soil, and it is a valua- 
ble material for the construction of roads. It is of little 
value as a building stone. 

The fossils commonly met with (12) 

in the Utica slate in Vermont, are uj<4M4^^<^c^^ 

grajDtolitesandtrilobites. Fig.\2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
is a common form of graptolite. GraptoJite. 

Trenton Limestone. — This rock occupies the place next 
below the Utica Slate, in the Champlain group. From 
the south end of the lake, it extends- along the east shore 
as far northward as Charlotte, showing itself in the up- 
lifts, at various places. It appears again in South Hero, 
and extends northward, through the western part of 
that township, and Grand Isle, and constitutes the 
southeastern and highest part of the Isle la Motte. It 
also caps some of the elevations near the Medicinal 
Spring, in Highgate. 

This formation, though of limited extent in Vermont, 
is remarkably well characterized, and in many places, 
is made up almost entirely of fossils. 

The kinds of fossils are very numerous in this forma- 
tion, and in many places, a large number of species are 
mingled together, while in other places, the rock con- 
sists almost entirely of shells, belonging to a single 
genus. This is particularly the case with much of the 
Trenton limestone, in South Hero. 

its .iunction with the Hu-lson river shales ?— what soil do these form 1— what fossils 
are common 1 What place does the Trenton limestone occupy ? — its extent 7 — is it 
well characteriz«d7— wtuit is said of its I'ossila?— in South Kerol What is tb« 



SECONDARY IJ? VERMONT. 



6i 




The rock here, for a considerable extent, seems to 
be entirely made up of bivalve shells of the genus 
Orthis. This limestone stands fire very well, particu- 
larly, when the edges of the strata are exposed to it, 
and in early times, was used for fire-places, and hence 
it has acquired upon the islands, the local name of 
Jire stone. 

Fig. 13 IS a common form of Orthis. 

The limestone in South Hero, mentioned 
above, is of a grayish color, while the color 
of the Trenton limestone, generally, is quite 
dark, often nearly black. 

The Trenton limestone is conformable to the Utica 
slate, at their junctions, w^hich may be seen at numer- 
ous places along the lake shore. One of the most in- 
teresting of these junctions, is near the northwest cor- 
ner of Panton. 

This limestone is in some places sufficiently firm to 
serve as a building stone, but for the most part, the 
strata are too thin and shaly for that purpose. 

isle la Motte Limestone. Under this name are includ- 
ed all those rocks which have been described under 
the names of Chazy limestone, Birdseye limestone, and 
Isle la Motte marble. 

The Isle la Motte limestone lies lower in the series 
than the Trenton limestone, wiiich may be seen rest- 
ing directly upon it at many places along the east side 
of the lake; but it is more extensively exposed to view 
on the Isle la Motte than elsewhere in the State, and 
from this circumstance it has received its name. 

Portions of this lim.estone, lying next to the Trenton 
limestone, are perfectly black, having a finely granular 
and compact texture, and are susceptible of a high 
polish. They have been worked at several places for 
Black Marble^ but the quarry opened on the east side 

stone here called ?— its color ? What is said of its jimction with T'tica slate 1 Is it 
a!good building stone ? What are included under the name of Isle la Motte limc- 
Blone ?— how situated? Where largely exposed! What is said of portions of it 

6 



63 



PHYSICAL GEOGHAPny. 



of the Isle la Motte furnishes a marble superior to any 
of the others. 

The black marble of the Isle la Motte occupies the 
same position in the series of rocks, and is very simi- 
lar to that worked at Glens Falls, but is thicker bedded 
and more perfectly compacted into one mass. 

The Isle la Motte limestone generally, and particu- 
larly that portion of it which has been called Chazy 
limestone, is distinguished by several large and con- 
spicuous fossils. The most remarkable of these are", 
the Columnaria, the Orthocera, and the Maclurea. 
(14) (15) (16) 






Columnar id. 



Orthocera. 



Maclurea. 



The columnar! a has been mistaken by some for petri- 
fied honeycomb, and the maclurea, for petrified snakes. 

Calciferous Sandstone. This is the lowest of the Cham- 
plain group of rocks found in Vermont, and there is 
but one other below it in the series, which is the Potts- 
dam sandstone. The Pottsdam sandstone exists ex- 
tensively on the west side of the lake at Keeseville, 
Birmingham, and other places, but none of it is found 
in Vermont ; and the calciferous sandstone is exposed 
very sparingly on the Vermont side of the lake, unless 
further observation shall prove, as some geologists 
have suspected, that our red sandrock series is the 



for what worked? — where best? What other black marble is mentioned? For 
what I'lissils is the Isle hi Motte limestone distinguished?— for what have they been 
mistaken 1 Which is the lowest of the Champfain group in Varmont .'—what other 
ja lower in the series 7— where found? Is the calcijerous sandetonc much exposed 



SECONDARY IN VERMONT. 63 

calciferous sandstone. The calciferous sandstone is 
very variable in appearance, but is usually of a gray- 
ish color with sparkling grains of lime and embedded 
masses of calcareous spar. It is an impure limestone, 
usually containing, besides carbonate of lime, a mix- 
ture of quartz and argillaceous matter. 

The section below, (copied from the Second Annual 
Report of Prof. Adams on the Geolgy of Vermont, p. 
163,) exhibits the order and position of the Champlain 
group as they are exposed by the uplift which forms 
Snake mountain in Addison county. 
(17) 

a. Red sandrock forming the 
the summit of the mountain. 
b. Debris from the Red ?and 
rock. e. Hudson River Shales. 



•/, ik 



d. Utica Slate. «. Trenton 
Limestone. /. Isle la Motfe 
Geological Section, Limestone, g. Caciferous Sand- 

stone. A. Clay. 




TACONIC SYSTEM IN VERMONT. 

Taconic System is the name which has been given to a 
series of rock formations, extending along the west side 
of the Green Mountains through the western part of 
Massachusetts, and Vermont. The name is- derived 
from a range of high lands lying along the west line of 
Massachusetts, and extending into Vermont, called the 
Taconic range. 

In Vermont this system^ occupies^^a large part of the 
counties of Bennington, Rutland and Addison. 

The true geological position of the Taconic rocks is 
not yet well settled among geologists. While some re- 
gard them as belonging to the primary strata, and oth- 

in Vermont'?— what is said of its appearance ?— what does it contain 1 What doea 
the sectK.n exlubu ]— explain it I To what is the name of Taonic system sivenf 
—from what IS the nam.- derived 7- what does the system occupy 'in Vermont? 
Wiat IS ettid of ui^ g^iologicul ivrm^iioaf What is sakl of the final report of tfe« 



64 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

ers, as members of the Champlain, which have been 
very much altered by heat, there are still others, who 
regard them as a distinct group of palaeozoic rocks, 
all of which are older than the oldest of the Champlain 
group. On account of this disagreement among geol- 
ogists, the publication of the final report of the geo- 
logical survey of Vermont is anticipated with much 
scientific interest, as likely to aid in settling the ques- 
tion. 

Commencing with the most western, or lowest of the 
series, we shall mention the different members in their 
order, proceeding eastward, all the rocks dipping in 
that direction. 

Taconic and Roojing Slates. These extend through the 
western part of Rutland county, and a part of Addison 
county. They are quarried at several places in Rut- 
land county, and furnish a very good material for roof- 
ing, and for the manufacture of writing slates, and slate 
pencils. 

Spariy Limestone. This rock also, in Vermont, is 
confined principally to the southwest part of Addison 
county and the northwest part of Rutland county. Its 
ground color is bluish, or diff"erent shades of gray, di- 
vided and checked by numerous seams of calcareous 
spar. 

Magnesian Slates. These slates lie to the eastward of 
the sparry limestone, and between it and the Stock- 
bridge limestone. They are most fully developed in 
the northwestern part of Bennington county and south- 
western part of Rutland county. 

The magnesian slates are usually of a light gray co- 
lor, and often of a greenish hue. They split into broad 
masses, the surfaces of which often have a pearly lustre 
and an oily feel. Veins and seams of white quartz are 

geological survey ? In what order are ilie Taconic rocks nieiiiioned ? Wliat is 
eaid ol' Taconic slates ?— where auarried? What do they furnish? Where ia 
sparry limestone found ? — what is said of its color ? Where do the macnesian slates 
lie.'— what their color?— how do they split ?— what veins in it?— from what dot* 



TACONIC SYSTEM IN VERMONT. 65 

often abundant in this slate. It derives its name from 
having a considerable proportion of magnesia in its 
composition. 

Stockbridge Limestone. In an economical view this is 
far the most important member of the Taconic system, 
and one of the most valuable rock formations in the 
State, on account of the great abundance and variety, 
and the excellent quality of the marble which it furn- 
ishes. The color of this limestone is generally light, 
J)eing in some places clear v,iiite, but more commonly 
jdove-colored or variegated. 

Commencing at the south line of the State in Pownal^ 
this limestone forms a belt which extends northward 
through the counties of Bennington, Rutland and Ad- 
dison, as far as the town of Monkton. This belt is on 
an average about five miles wide, having the magne- 
sian slate on the west, and the quartz rock on the east. 
To the northward of Bennington county it occupies 
the valley of Otter Creek. Some of the most import- 
ant marble quarries in this range will be mentioned 
under the names of the counties in which they are sit- 
uated. 

The name of this limestone is derived from the town 
of Stockbridge, Mass., which lies in the range as it ex- 
tends southward through that State. 

Along the eastern margin of the Stockbridge lime- 
stone are found the extensive beds of brown iron ore 
mentioned on page 53. Though usually detached and 
mixed with drift materials, there are strong reasons 
for thinking that they have their origin in this lime- 
stone. 

Granular Quartz Bock. This rock forms a belt or 
range extending from the south line of the State to the 
northern part of Addison county, and lying between 



It derive Us* name ? What is saiil ef the value of the Stockbridge limestone ?— what 
docs It lorm ?— how wide is it ?— what bound it ?— what does it occupy north of 
Bennington ?— from what is its name derived ?— what is found alon^ its eastern 
margin?— what is ihere^strong reason for thinking ? What is eaid of the rfuartz 
6* i 



Co rnTsicAL geographt. 

the Stockbridge limestone and the primary rocks of the 
Green Mountains. This range is quite irregular, and 
in some places is not readily traced. It is very barren 
in minerals, containing only occasional crystals of sul- 
phuret of iron and schorl. 

The Taconic rocks in general contain few minerals, 
Fossils are supposed to have been found in some of 
them ; but, if so, they are certainly of very rare occur^ 
ence, and in a very imperfect state of preservation, 
These rocks generally have a steep eastern or souths 
eastern dip. 

Further observation may possibly prove that a por- 
tion of the slates in the counties of Chittenden and 
Franklin, which we for the present include in the tal- 
cose slate formation of the primary, belongs to the Ta- 
conic system. 



III. PKIMARY SYSTEM IN VERMONT. 

The jn-imarij system embraces all the stratified rocks, 
which are older than the transition or palaeozoic rocks. 
Ill these rocks, no fossils are found. Tliey consist prin- 
cipally of gneiss, and several vai-ieties of scliists or 
slates. 

The primary system in Vermont, occupies nearly 
three-fourths of tlie surface of the state. From the 
Champlain and Taconic series, eastward to Connecti- 
cut river, it embraces all the territory, with the excep- 
tion of several censiderable patches of granite and ser- 
pentine. 

The primary system in Vermont maybe considered 
under two general divisions, or as two great geologi- 
cal formations of nearly equal extent. The line divi- 
ding these, commences in the south line of the state, 

]-ock? — does it contain many minerals? — wliat is said of the Taconic rock in gene- 
]-al ?— vvhnt is said of their fossils .'—of their dip ? Wliat may further observation 
li(\i; Wii.tt ilocs tlip priiunrv rv«'.em emhiace ? Are the rocks fossjlifeioii? ?. 



PaiMA&Y SYSTEM IN VERMONT. 67 

in the town of Halifax, and runs nearly north, through 
New-fane. Bridgwater, Ludlow, Bethel andNorthfield, to 
Montpelier village, and thence a little east of north thro' 
Calais, Craftsbury, and Irasburgh. to Memphremagog 
lake. This line is easily ti^aced through almost the en- 
tire distance from the southern boundary of the state, 
to Canada. All the primary rocks to the westward of 
this line, are embraced under the general name of the 
TaJcose slate formation, and all to the eastward, under 
the name of the CaJcareo-mica slate formation. These 
names are descriptive only, as indicating the prevailing 
rocks of each formation. 

SECTION I. TALCOSE SLATE FORMATION. 

This division of the primary, embracing the e-ntiro 
range of the Green Mountains in Vermont, averages 
about 14 miles in width, from the line of Massachu- 
setts, up to the south line of Washington county, and 
from the latter, to the north line of the state, its average 
width is about 30 miles. That tract, which we have in- 
cluded in this formation, and which lies west of the 
Green Mountains, in the north part of the state, may 
hereafter be found to be. in whole, or in part, the mag- 
nesian slate, of the Taccnic system; but for the present 
we include it in the talcose slate formation. 

Adjacent to the Champlain group, in the counties of 
Chittenden and Franklin, the strata of this formation 
have an easterly dip from 3 P to 60^, andthe rock con- 
sists principally of a shaly quartz. In proceeding east- 
ward, the dip gradually increases, and the rock exhib- 
its niore of the characteristic of talcose slate, which ia 

\VTiat is meant by fossil and fosgiliferous ? Of what do the primary consist ? 
How nnichof VoriTKHit does the p imary occupy .? Wliat are its limits? IIow 
may it he consi(lere(7 What line divides the two ? Is it easily traced ? What 
name is given to tli-c primary west of this line ? What to the east i What do 
these names indicate ? What does the talcose slate formation embrace .' What is 
its width ? what is said of that part of it v/est of the Green Mountains 1 Wliat 
is said of the stra^^Tia Ijacent to the Champ-ain groiv;^ ? Want of them in proc eed-' 



68 PHYSICiiL GEOGRAPHY. 

an oily feel. In some places it has a greenish or chlo- 
ritic hue, and is so compact and thick bedded as to 
make a tolerable building stone. This is the case in 
Jericho and Westford. In some places the rock is a 
conglomerate, that is, formed of rounded pebbles of 
different sizes cemented together. 

Near the western foot of the Green Mountains, the 
dip of the strata becomes vertical, forming a synclinal 
axis. The line of this axis, passes through Berkshire, 
Enosburgh, Bakersfield, Cambridge, Underhill and Jer- 
icho. To the eastward of this line, the dip continues 
nearly vertical for several miles, being sometimes to 
the west, and at others to the east, forming a success^ 
ion of synclinal and anticlinal axes. The dip then be- 
comes uniformly west and continues so through the 
eastern part of the formation. 

The slate of this form.ation varies very much in its 
appearance and composition. In several places it is 
very well characterized clay slate, as in Berkshire and 
Enosburgh. Along the west foot of the mountains is a 
narrow range of plumbaginous slate. It appears in 
Richford, Cambridge, Jericho and Huntington. In 
Cambridge it is used for marking as a substitute foF 
black lead. 

The rocks, which form the highest summits of the 
Green Mountain range, are of a coarse and often gran^ 
ular texture. In some places they would be called taU 
cose slate, in others, mica slate, but a large proportion 
of it is in thick masses resembling gneiss, and it has 
been proposed to give to the whole, the name of Green 
Mountain gneiss. Much of the slate along the east slope 
of the mountains in the north part of the state, has a 

nET eastward! What of it in diflerem places ? Of what do conglomerates con- 
sist ? Where does the dip become vertical? What does it forml Through 
what towns'? What is said of the dip to the eastward of this line? What of it 
in the eastern parts of the Talcose formation ? Is tlie slate of this formation vari- 
1 ihle 1 What examples ? What is said of the rocks which form the highest part* 
uJ the Green MoMntaiue ? What general name has been projioeed for theee f 



TALCOSE SLATE FORMATION. 69 

greenish tinge, and might properly be called chlorite 
slate. 

Embraced in the talcose slate formation, is a narrow 
range oi^ steatite, extending from north to south, through 
the whole length of the state, showing itself at short 
intervals. The line of this range passes through Troy, 
Eden, Stow, Moretown. Roxbury, Bethel, Bridgewater, 
Windham and Marlborough. Steatite is also found in 
Richford, Belvidere and Waterville. 

In connexion with the steatite are immense beds of 
serpentine. This is particularly the case in Troy, Low- 
ell, Waterville, Roxbury and Ludlow. The serpentine 
at several of these places, makes a beautiful variegated 
marble. The serpentine shows little or no signs of 
stratification, and has been generally regarded as an 
igneous rock, or one which has been melted by heat. 

Throughout almost the whole extent of this forma- 
tion, there is a very great deficiency of lime. To the 
northward of Plymouth, in Windsor county, there can 
hardly be said to be any which is of any practical im- 
portance. There are small beds of limeston, in Stock- 
bridge, Moretown, Johnson, Waterville, Bakersfield and 
Richford, but none of these exceed a very few feet in 
extent, duicklime has been manufactured from that 
in Johnson, but it is not of the best quality. At Ply- 
mouth, the limestone is abundant, and is extensively 
burned into lime, which is of good quality. 

Iron ore, is found in this formation in numerous pla- 
ces. The most important localities, are Fairfield, Shel- 
don, Berkshire, Richford, Jay, Troy, Elmore, and Ply- 
mouth. The ore in Fairfield, Sheldon and Berkshire, is 
the red hematite, and probably all belongs to the same 
vein. The ore in Jay, is chromic iron, which is found 

What is said of the slate of the east slope 1 What range of steatite is mentioned ? 
Tlirough what towns ? Where is Pieatite found out of this line 1 What is found 
in connexion with the steatite ? Where? What is said of it ? Is it stratified 1 
Is lime common? Is there any north of Plymouth 1 At what place ? What is 
»aid of them ? Has lime been burned at any of them 1 What is said of Plymouth ? 
Ja iron ore found 1 What localities are mentioned 1 What is said of the thre« 



70 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHT. 

in large veins, and is easily quarried. It is from this 
ore, that the chromic acid is obtained for manufacturing 
the chromate of lead, which is that beautiful paint known 
by the name of chrome yellow. It is also, used for the 
green colors on porcelain, and is employed in some of 
the processes of calico printing. 

The iron ore in Troy, is mostly the titaniferous mag- 
netic oxide. It is very abundant, in an irregular rein 
in serpentine rock. Works have been erected, and 
large quantities of this ore have been worked,but it has 
been found so difficult to work, that it has not hitherto 
yielded any profit to the proprietors. 

The iron ore in Plymouth is very abundant, and is 
principally the brown hematite. It is situated near the 
junction of limestone and quartz rock, and beneath 
drift ; a condition very similar to that of the brown iron 
ore mentioned in the account of the Taconic system, 
and it is not improbable that there is a tract here which 
belongs to the Taconic system. 

Lead ore, (galena), is fou^d in Morristown in a seam 
in the talcose slate, and particles of gold hare been 
found in this formation in the lower part of Windham 
county. The sulphuret of copper is found in seams of 
this slate in Waterbury and on Sterling mountain. 

The principal minerals in this formation are talc, ac- 
tynolite and bitter spar in connexion with the steatite, 
asbestus and amianthus in connexion with the serpen- 
tine, octcedral crystals of iron in the Green Mountain 
gneiss, and epidote. The latter is particularly abund- 
ant in the rocks in Berkshire. Very large and remark- 
ably fine specimens of rock crystal are obtained in 
Waterbury and Middlesex, and chlorite and acicular 
crystals of schorl are found in numerous places. 

first? — of .Ifiy ? What is obtained from ihi«ore? What irs U!?es ? What is paid 
of tha ore »t.Iay ? Has it been worked to advantage? VVhat is said of the I'iy- 
tnouih iroii ore! — what is the inffrcnca? Where i« lead found?— gold? — tha aul- 
i'huret oi" copper? — Wiai minerala are fouud in coiiiicsioD witJi the ewrJii^f-^ 



PRIMARY SYSTEM m VERMONT. 71 

Rock crystal is usually in the form of a six-sided 
prism, truncated or cut off to a point, at the end. It re- 
sembles cut glass, and is often erroneously called dia- 
mond. 

SECTION II. • 

Calcareo-mica Slate Formation. This formation em- 
braces the whole of that part of the State lying to the 
eastward of the talcose s-late formation, with the excep- 
tion of a few tracts of granite. It is called the calcareo- 
mica slate on account of its consisting, to a great ex- 
tent, of impure limestone and mica slate interstratified, 
calcareo signifying limy. 

The principal members of this formation are clay 
slate, mica slate, and strata and beds of siliceous lime- 
stone. There is a range of clay slate, frequently alter- 
nating with calcareous strata, along the west side of 
this formation, and adjacent to the talcose slate. It is 
largely developed in Randolph, Brookfield, Berlin, Ca- 
lais, and Coventry. In Berlin a very good slate for 
roofing has been obtained from it. In the southeast 
corner of the State, through the towns of Guilford, Brat- 
tleborough and Dummerston, there is a range of clay 
slate, which furnishes very excellent roofing slate, and 
in which quarries have been worked, for that purpose, 
for many years. Clay slate also occurs in the eastern 
part of Orange county, and in Caledonia county, along 
the Connecticut and Passumpsic rivers, and in nume- 
rous other places. 

The mica slate of this section is not in general very 
well characterized. Indeed, the slate generally seems 
to be a compound of clay slate, mica slate, hornblende 
slate, talcose slate and quartz slate. At some places 
one of these predominates, and, at others, another pre- 
dominates. There are some tracts in Windham county 
and the lower part of Windsor county, where the mica 

with eerp«ntine .^— with the Green Mountain gneiss?— Where does epidote abound 1 
— jock ci) sial ?- schorl I— what is the form of rock crystal l—whai does it rescm- 



72 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

slate is^tolerably pure, and also in the northeastern part 
of the State, but in general it contains a large propor- 
tion of clay or argillite. 

In the western part of Caledonia county hornblende 
prevails, giving the rocks the character of hornblende 
slate. In the southern part of Essex county they as- 
sume the character of talcose or chlorite slate, and in 
the northwest part of that county they are a siliceous 
or quartz slate. 

The limestone of this formation every where con- 
tains a large proportion of sand. It has been burned 
for lime in several places, but is no where sufficiently 
pure to make good quicklime. It is useful in agricul- 
ture, to be applied to soils which are deficient in lime. 
But the lime from the beds of shell marl, which abound 
in this formation, is preferable to that made from the 
stone for all purposes. 

The blue siliceous limestone of this formation is 
readily recognized, where it has been exposed to the 
weather by its rotten and rusty surface. This rotten 
coating is a loose siliceous sand, from which the lime, 
which cemented it together, has been washed out. Be- 
yond the influence of the weather it will be found to be 
solid and compact. In some places, as at Hardwick 
and Berlin, this limestone is regularly arranged in 
parallel strata, showing very distinctly the planes of 
deposit ; but it more commonly occurs in irregular beds 
of unequal thickness in the diff"erent varieties of slates. 

The water of the wells and springs in the calcareo 
mica slate region, is generally hard. This is in conse- 
quence of the ease with which the limestone is dissol- 
ved by exposure to air and moisture, thus impregna- 
ting the water generally with lime. In this, we see the 
reason why marl beds are common on the formation, 

ble ? — what is it commonly called? — What is said of the western part of Caledonia 
county ? — What in the south part of Essex county ? — in the northwest part ? — What 
16 said of the limestone of ihis formation] — does it make good quicklime ? — is it 
of any use]— wuai is preferable fuit]— how is this limestone recognized f— what 



PRIMARY ROCKS IN VERMONT. 73 

While there are none on the talcose slate formation, 
where the waters contain little or no lime. 

The marl beds consist of the shells of molluscs, 
which have lived and died in the water, which occupied 
the places, where the beds are deposited. These shells 
are carbonate of lime, which the animals secreted 
from the water. Hence, it is plain that the water must 
be impregnated with lime, or these animals cannot live 
in it; and that, where the waters do not contain lime, 
beds of shell marl cannot be formed. 

There are several mineral springs in this formation, 
all of which derive their medicinal properties from the 
presence of sulphuretted hydrogen. The springs at 
Newbury, Tunbridge, Williamstown, Hardwick and 
Brunswick, have all been places of resort for invalids. 

The principal metalic ores found in this formation, 
are sulphuret of iron, and sulphuret of copper, or iron 
and copper pyrites, and sulphuret of lead, called also ga- 
lena. Iron and copper pyrites are associated together,' 
and exist in abundance at Strafford, Corinth and Brigh- 
ton. From the iron pyrites at Strafford, most of the 
copperas used in the northern states, is manufactured. 
The small yellow cubes found in the slate, in many 
places, and which are often mistaken for gold, are iron 
pyrites, or sulphuret of iron. The richest veins of 
copper pyrites, are found in Corinth, and lead ore, con- 
taining a small proportion of silver, is found in Thet- 
ford. 

The most common minerals in this formation, are the 
different varieties of tourmaline and garnet The black 
tourmaline, or schorl, is found in very large crystals, 
which, when broken, have been mistaken, by persons 

is the coating?— how is it below the coating ?— is it stratified ?— how does it gen«- 
rally occur? What is said of tho water of this formation ? What refe'-ence haa 
this to the marl beds ! What do these beds consist of? Of what do the shells 
consist 7 What is the inference 1 Are there any mineral springs 1 What do they 
contain 1 What springs are mentioned ? What ores in this lorrnation ! Whera 
arc uou and coopper pyrites found together in abundance.-' What is said of cot>. 
peras i ol the yellow cub«» fauud in ilats I 

7 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



ignorant of minerology, for anthracite coal. Very large 
crystals of this kind, are found in Bridge water, Thet- 
ford, and other places. 

In the siliceous limestone, in the western part of Cal- 
edonia county, are radiated or stellor crystals of black 
hornblende, which are often very beautiful. Rock crys- 
tal, actynolite, kyanite and numerous other minerals, 
are found in different parts of the formation^ 



IGNEOUS ROCKS IN VERMONT. 

The only igneous unstratified rock in Vermont, which 
occupies any considerable extent of territoiy, is granite; 
and the granite is all confined, to that division of the 
primary, which is embraced under the name of the cal- 
careo-mica slate formation. It appears to have been 
forced up from beneath, through the primary strata, in 
ranges, which are, for the most part, very narrow fi-om 
east to west, but often extending many miles from north 
to south, in the direction of the strike of the strata. 
This is particularly noticeable in the eastern part of 
Orleans and Washington countieSj and in the western 
part of Caledonia county. 

The most extensive tracts of granite are in Essex 
county and in the south-western corner of Caledonia 
county, and the adjacent parts of the adjoining counties. 
It was from the north-western part of this last tract, 
in the town of Barre, that the granite for the state house 
was procured. Towards the south-eastern part of the 
state, there are some isolated patches of granite, but 
they are all small. 

In many places, the granite is seen traversing the 
other rocks, in the form of dikes, veins, and seams 
This is particularly observable in Marshfieldj and this 

What is the principal igneous rock ? lo wliat is it confined ? How d'^>ei it ap- 
pearto have cnginattd? 'What is Paid of the ranges? Where js '.his ncticaat-e? 
Where are the mcyt extensive tracts of granne? Is there anr lu the south ea^ 
pa.rt of the siatt ? In what .forifjs i? i! foi^nd b othei" locksi What does ih)s 



IGNEOUS ROCKS IN VERMONT. 10 



fact, together with the fact that fragments of slate are 
found embedded in granite, makes it certain that the 
granite has been in a melted state since the formation 
of the slate. 

Granite boulders are found scattered over all the 
north-eastern part of the state, some of which are of 
very great size. From a single boulder, in Greensbo- 
rough, the material for a good sized stone house, inclu- 
ding the walls of the cellar, were obtained without using 
it all up. Another boulder, in this town, is 41 feet long 
and 22 high, and is calculated to weigh 1200 tons. About 
half a mile from the latter, there are two other boul- 
ders, which are about 80 feet apart, and both are so 
nicely balanced upon other rocks as to be easily moved 
by the hand, and hence they have acquired the name of 
rocking stones. Their relative situations will appear 
from the cut. They are (IS) 

both considerably eleva- 
ted above the surround- 
ing country. The most 
elevated is 9 feet high and 
twelve feet long, weighing 
about 80 tons, and the other 8 feet high and 11 long, 
weighing about 50 tons. Fig. IS will afford some idea 
of the position of these stones. 

The granite contains very few minerals, execepting 
those which enter into its composition. In Cabot, near 
Joe's pond, feldspar is found in large wedge-shaped 
masses, and in Craftsbury the granite contains flatten- 
ed balls, which are made up of concentric layers of 
mica. Thise are about an inch in diameter, and are 
scattered in granite like plums in a pudding. The name 
of nodnlar granite has been given to the rock. It has 
been found in place only in Craftsbuiy and Northfield, 

f)roTe ? What is said of granite boulders "? What was tnade from one in Green^- 
^oronjh? How large is another? D.^^rribe the rocking srono?j ? H'W large are 
the^' f Does crranite contain many min-^rai?! ? What is"paid of Jae's ^^^n^.j in Ca- 
l>'/; VVha'. is in *iie granite of CWtsbur/? How larg*? What namo if jirsi^ 




PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



and in Stanstead, Canada. These places lie in the di- 
rection of the strike of the stratified rocks. Large boul- 
ders, which were doubtless transported from this range, 
are found scattered towards the south-east, as far as 
the eastern part of Caledonia county. 

Greenstone and Porphyry, the other igneous rocks in 
the table, are found only in dikes in Vermont. 

Greenstone dikes are found in all the different forma- 
tions, but are not equally common in all. In the Ta- 
conic rocks, and in the talcose slate formation, they are 
exceedingly rare. They are found, but quite sparingly, 
in all parts of the calcareo-mica slate formation, but 
they are far most common in the Champlain rocks, par- 
ticularly in the neighborhood of Burlington. 

The most common width of the greenstone, or trap 
dikes, is from 4 inches to 5 feet wide. The greatest num- 
ber of them are about 2 feet. The greater part of them 
cross the stratified rocks nearly at right angles with 
the strike of the rocks, and descend nearly perpendicu- 
lar into the rock. In some places, they may be traced 
for several miles in nearly a straight course across the 
edges of the strata, but they sometimes terminate sud- 
denly, and commence anew at some little distance to 
the right or left, and then proceed onward again in the 
same direction as before. Such an occurrence is called 
'A fault in the dike. (19) 

Fig. 19, represents a dike 10 inches -J 

wide in the slate, on the lake shore 
at Clay Pt., Colchester. The fault is 
an offset of about three feet. Th(? 
highest part of the rocks, above the - 
outcrop of slate is sand. % 



.-^M 



to the granite ? Where found in place ? Where are boulders found \ What is 
B.iid of greenstone and porphyry ? Where are greenstone dikes found ? Wher» 
are they rare? Where sparingly found? Where most common? What is said 
of their width? How? How do they cross the strata? Wiiat is said of their 
course ? What is meant by a fault in a dike ' What is repre^enisd in the figures 1 



IGNEOUS ROCK.'^ IN VERMONT. 77 

At Hubbell's falls, in the town of Essex, there are 
two faults in the same dike. In some places these dikes 
liave a concretionary structure, and by exposure to the 
weather come to pieces in the form of balls. In other 
l)laces, the greenstone is filled with whitish crystals, 
and is said, to be arnygdaloidal. One of the most in- 
teresting of this kind is on a small island in lake Cham- 
j.lain. a little north of Colchester point. Signs of co- 
iuninar structure vn'c seen in some few of the dikes. 

The Porpkifri; dikes are mostly confined to the south- 
Y\-estern part of Chittenden county. Like the green- 
stone dikes, their general course is from west to east, 
but tlicy are much more irregular in their direction and 
width. In some i)!ac-es they are forced up tlirough the 
slate, in large rounded masses. Their color varies from 
dark chockolate brown to a light cream color. In some 
the embedded chrystals are very numerous ; in others, 
rare. In several, no crystals are seen. These are more 
j)roperiy cn.\\ed feldspalkic dikes. 

One of the most interesting places for examining 
C)f these dikes, is at Nash's point, in Shelburne, where the 
means are afforded for determhiing the relative ages the 
greenstone and porplijny dikes. There, tv.o greenstone 
dikes have been jilainly cut off by a mass of porpliyry 
flov/ing laterally between the layers of slate, thus jiro- 
ving that the porphry is more recent than the green- 
svone. Fig. 20, represents this. 
It will be seen by the figure 
tJiat there is a fault in one of 
the greenstone dikes. Th^ 
more recent origin of the por- 
phyry is also infered from the 
general fact that the porphyry 
is frequently found to have 

What occurs ii) E>sex 7 What is said of structure of some of these dikes? When 
ore they said to be amygdaloidal ? To what par^ arc porphyry dik«s confined? 
XV'hat is said of ihoir cuirse ? Are they as regular as the srreenstone dikres ! Wh< I 
i.- their color ' What is said of their "crvstalBl What are iho.so called wi:hcb. 
rt^stals'? What locality is mentioned? i)e.cribeu? What dues it prove? \»haj 
general fact i.? m?ntionod a: provins the samJ .' 




7S piirgicAL geography. 

flowed literally between the strata of the rocks, 
while the greenstone is never found to have done so, 
proving that the latter Vr^as formed under a much grea^ 
ter pressure than the former. 



III. CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY. 

1. Climate is from a Greek word, which signiiieSj t^ 
incline. It originally had reference to the inclination 
of the earth's axis to the horizon, which occasions the 
inequalities of day and night. The ancient geogra- 
phers divided the space between the equator and the 
poles into 30 parts, which they called climates, and the 
limits of these spaces was determined by the lengths 
of the longest days. Climate, in this sense, belongs 
strictly to matliematical geography. 

Climate, in its present ordinary acceptation, has re- 
ference to the condition and various modifications of 
the atmosphere. In this sense, its meaning is very 
nearly the same as that of meteorology, which embraces 
the various phenomena which have their origin in the 
atmosphere. The term, vieteor, is more commonly ap- 
plied to those lights, which appear and disappear sud- 
denly in the heavens, such as fireballs, shooting stars, 
the rainbow, and the aurora borealis ; but, in its general 
acceptation, it embraces winds, clouds, rain, hail, snow, 
and, indeed, every kind of atmospheric phenomenon. 

Phenomenon is a term used to denote some unusual 
natural appearance, or appearance, the cause of which 
is not immediately obvious. Phenomena, the plural, is 

From what \a the word chmate derived ? To what did it orij^inally refer t 
TTjion v.-hat (hd th« liniita of cliaiiiate?i dopend ? How many were there ? Wha? 
is the present accspiation of the term ? What is embraced in meterok)gy ? What 
the most couimob applicatioa of the term ineleor ? What is its ujenera! sense ? 
VVhat !s uieant by pheaooienoa f— rhenomcna) In what Zone ja Vi. ? In what 



CLIMATE AND METEROLOGY. 79 

used when more than one such appearance is spoken of 
at the same time. 

2. Temperature. Vermont, though situated in the mid- 
dle of the north temperate zone, is subject to very con- 
siderable extrem-es, both of heat and cold, and the 
changes of temperature are often very sudden. The 
usual annual range of the thermometer, in this state, in 
the shade, is from about 92° above to 22° below the zero 
of Fahrenheit's scale. It is sometimes known to rise 
as high as 100°, and at other times to sink as low as 36°, 
or even 40°, below zero. 

For some time after the settlement of Vermont, the 
thermometer was hardly known in this part of the coun- 
try; and since that instrument has become common, 
very few meteorological journals have been kept, and 
:$hose few haye not, in general, been kept with sufficient 
Care to render them of much value ; nor have they been 
preserved in a condition to be accessible to those who 
may wish to consult them. Hence we possess few ac- 
curate data, either for determining the relative mean 
temperature of the different sections of the state, or 
the question with regard to a change of climate, corres- 
ponding with the clearing and cultivation of the coun- 

The following table contains the mean results of ob- 
servations of temperature continued at each of the pla- 
ces named through 13 years, and as the notes were made 
at the same hours of the day at each place, viz : sunrise 
Ih. P. M. and 9 P. M., the results probably exhibit pretty 
accurately, the difference of mean temperature between 
the central mountainous parts of the state and the low- 
er parts of the valley of lake Champlain. By this table 
it appears that the mean temperature of Burlington, is 
S^"^ warmer than that of Williamstown. The height 
of the place where the observations were made, in Wil- 

part .'' What is said of the changes of temperature ? What the usual range of 
the thermometer ? Wiiat the exti-eme ? What is said of meterologicul observa- 
ions in Vt. What is the consequence 1 From what observations were the results 
in the table obtained ? What do they exhibit 1 How much warmer is Burlington 
than Williamstown 1 How much highest is thelatter ? In what way may the main 



so 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



llamstowii, above the sea, exceeds that of Burlina'ton 
about 1000 feet. 





Williamsiown. 


Burlington. 


1 


WiUianistown'Burlington. 


January, 


15 5° 


19 4" 


July, 


63.5^ 


69,1° 


February. 


157 


20 5 


An oust. 


61.3 


68.6 


March, 


25 5 


30 6 


Septem. 


52.9 


59,7 


April, 


3S.2 


43,2 


October. 


418 


469 


May, 


50.3 


551 


Novem. 


301 


35 8 


June, 


59,5 


64 5 


Decern. 


18.S 


23 9 



39,4 44 8 

The mean annual temperature of a neighborhood, 
maybe ascertained very nearly from the temperature 
of deep wells, and perrennial springs. The the tempe- 
rature of the weils in Burlington, indicates a mean aur- 
nual temperature of 45°, differing veiy little from the 
result of the daily observations, as shown in tlie 
table. 

In penetrating into the earth, it is found, that for a 
certain distance downward, the temperature varies with 
the season; but on reaching a certain point, the tempe- 
rature is then found to be uniform through the ye^ir, 
agreeing vith the mean Annual temperature of the sur- 
fnco. This pc-rint is usually nt about the depth at vrliich 
the sjiriiigs are formed, which sui)i)ly our wells, and 
v.hicli issue from the earth; and hence, the tem!)e- 
rature of their vraters, affords a neai' approximation to 
the mean temperature of the climate. 

Below the point of uniform temperature, the heat in- 
creases in descending, la the abortive attempt to ob- 
tain salt by boring into the rocks at Montpelier, this 
fact was fully coroborated. The boring was extended 
downward about 800 feet, and. at that'depth, the tem- 
perature was found to be some degrees warmer, than 
at the depth of 50 feet. 

The increase of heat is greater in some places, than 
in others, but by observations made in dee]) mines, in 
different parts of the world, it has been found that the 
averasre rate of increase, is about one degree of Fah- 



■yVhat is .vaid of the tempprafure of a certain pom:? — ot the springs wliicli originate 



CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY. 81 

renheits thermometer, for every 50 feet. Supposing this 
rate of increase to continue, at the distance of 60miies, 
the heat would be such as to melt all the earthy mate- 
rials, and render them fluid. 

3. Winds. For small sections of country, the prevail- 
ing v/inds usually take their direction from the position 
of the mountains and valleys. This is very much the 
case in Vermont. Through the valley of the Connec- 
ticut, and of Lake Champlain, the winds for the most 
part blow either from the south, jDr from the north or 
north-west, wiiile winds from the east or west are, com- 
paratively of rare occurrence. Along. our smaller riv- 
ers, particularly the Winooski and Lamoille, the pre- 
vailing winds are from the north-west. The winds oc- 
casionally do some damage in Vermont by unroofing 
buildings and prostrating forest trees, but it is very sel- 
dom. In the valley of lake Champlain, the southerly 
winds are to the northerly about in the proportion of 5 
to 4. 

4. Bain. The quantity of water which falls in rain and 
snow in any ©ne year, does not probably differ very con- 
siderably in the different sections of the state ; but the 
quantity which falls at the same place in different years, 
is very variable, as may bo seen by the following table, 
which exhibits the fall of water at Burlington, in inches 
and decimal parts, during ten successive years. 

nnte there? What talces place below this point ] Where proved 7 — What tha 
rate? At what depth at tliis rate would all be melted ? Upon what does the di- 
rection of winds depend ? Is this ;he case Lb Vt. ? How do they blow in tlie 
vally of the Connecticut and Lake Champlain? What is said of the fall of wa- 
ter at different places?— At same' place? In which month greatest ] In whick 



?2 



rilTSICAL GEOGBAPIIY. 



TABLE 
Of the Monthly and 'Annual fall of Water at Burlington. 



ivio. !16:;d.|153D. 


184 .il»4J. 


1842. 


1843.]1844.;i845.!l846. 


1847.|Avr. 


Jan. 


2.52[ 0.80 


1 26 3.49 


1.04 


0.71 j 2.29| 2.381 172 


2 80' 1.91 


l^eb. 


1.321 1.2{, 


1.89; 0.80i 3.75 


1.43: 0.73 2.52; 1.47 


1.85, 1.70 


Mar. 


l.io; 1.43! 3.05' 3.23; 1.97 


2.i2j 2.35i 2.481 2.20 


2.10 220 


Apr- 


1.34' 1.60 


4.69' 3.54 i 2 52 


0.82 


1 43 2.22 0.91 


3.15' 2.32 


May 


4.51 2.43 


2.46 2.28 1.55 


247 


4.40 339! 3.18 


1.85' 2 85 


June 


5.37 3.71 


2.84 


5.16 3 24 


4.58 


2.08 2.08i 3.63 


5.051 3 87 


July 


3.25i 6 26 


4.18 


2.87, 4.62 


2.59 


5.35, 4.51! 5.08 


4.05! 4.23 


Aug. 


2.4li 1.9i 


351 


1.40; 1.74 


2.09 


3.4& 2.37 0.48 


3.12: 2 25 


Sep. 


1,331 2.9J 


4,71 


3 62 3.80 


1.80 


1.36: 5.62; 3.78 


4.691 3 36 


Oct. 


2.98! 0.45 


3 66 


0.83 4.10 


5.03j 5 11' 2.26' 2.65 


3.69i 3.09 


.\ov. 


3.7.^1 2.57 


2.25 


2.47 2.32 


1.63 0.57' 4.00! 2,88 


2.13; 246 


Dec. 


O.S2| 2.68 


2.62 


3.02 3.20 


1.48 2.08' 2.21! 1.68 

! 1 


4.07 2.40 


Tot. 


3U.83;27.9C 


37.19 


32.71.33 85 


i^6.75 


31 21:36.04,29.66.38.65132.69 



By the above table it appears that the greatest aver- 
age quantity of water falls in July, and the least in Feb- 
ruary. These results, however, have reference only to 
Burlington. They may be found to vary in different 
parts of the state. There is reason to think that the an- 



of the other parts of the state. The quantities in the 
table include what falls in snow and hail, as well as 
rain. 

The depth of water, which falls in a rain storm, or 
thunder shower, is much less than is generally sup- 
posed. One inch of water in a thunderstorm, or in a 
rain of 2i hours, is a large amount. During the whole 
period emb] ac^d in the above tabic the water of a sin- 
gle shower, has not in more than one case exceeded 
two inches, and in only one case has it exceeded three in- 
ches in 2i hours. The prevailing notion, that the water 
sometimes falls to the depth of 5 or 6 inches in a sin- 
gle storm, is altogether an illusion. 



least? What do tho quantities include'? What is said of the r.n in in a tlmnder 
storm?— of ih-: rain? in ihe ten years embraced in the table ? Wrtat of a prevail- 
ing noiioat 



CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY. 83 



5. Snow. The ground is usually covered with snow 
about four months of the year, or from the first of De- 
cember to the beginning of April. The snow falls ear- 
lier and deeper, and lies later upon the high lands, than 
in the valleys.' The most severe snov/ storms are usu- 
ally accompanied by a northeasterly wind. Less snow 
fails at Burlington, than in most other parts of the state. 
The following table exhibits the amount, which fell, at 
Burlington, in each of the last eleven winters. 

inches 



1837-8 . 


60 


inches 


1842-3 • . 


. 115 


183S-9 . . 


41 




1843-4 . 


. 73 


1830-40 . . 


48 


a 


1844-5 . 


75 


1840-1 . . 


92d 


- 


1845-6 . . 


. 73 


1841-2 . . 


64 


u 


1846-7 . . 
1847-S • • 


. 110 
. 67 



In the winter of 1S45-6, there was uninterrupted good 
sleighing in Burlington from December 1, to March 15, 
104 days, a much greater amount than had been knowa 
for many years. 

The annual amount of snow is thought to be less now 
than when the country was new, and the amount of 
good sleighing much less, and more precarlus. 

6. Seaso72s. During the winter the ground is generally 
covered with snow, and the cold often severe. The 
snows begin to disappear the last of March, and are usu- 
ally gone early in April, and spring grain is generally 
sown and gardens planted in that month ; but the open- 
ing of spring is liable to a variation of at least two 
weeks. Indian corn is usually planted between the 15th 
and 25th of May, and is ripe in October. Hay making 
commences about the 4th of July. Severe frosts cease 
about the lOth of May, and begin again the last of Sep- 
tember. Robbins and song sparrows return about the 
21st of March, barn swallows about the 28th of April. 

How long is the ground usually covered with snow ? Where deepest t What is 
paid of enow at Eunjngton ? When the greatest quantity ? leaat J rnoFt Elei^h- 
itg 1 Kow rr.uch 7 How does the preseni coccpare witii esily i\rr.i.3t WheiTdo 
Tjncvrn ujuaHy di;arre^r ; Lj 'he sDn.?.g vaij-^h'e ir. opening ; "'A/'hfcfj i? co/n ^:'dr. 
led? VV'hfa rif€ ■? hayLRg coian.f.7.ce,'-; fio^-^ ce^^e; bep-D^ ; roLi.ic ytiui-i- ; 
tail rwai-owi 1 0'-Jrrsn« bloesoiK ? plums? cherries? appxt? 



84 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



Currants blossom about the 12th of May, plums and 
cherries the ISth, and apples the 25th. 

It is found by observation, that in cold weather, when 
it is clear and calm, the valleys are coldest, but when 
cloudy, or windy the high lands are coldest. Vegeta- 
tion upon the low lands and along the margin of the 
lakes and large streams, is, in the spring, a week or ten 
days earlier than upon the high lands and mountains; 
but frosts, in the fall, occur earliest upon the low lands, 
allowing- to each nearly the same time of active vege- 
tion. The low lands, however, enjoy a higher mean 
temperature, and bring fruits and vegetables to matu- 
rity, which do not succeed well upon the higher lands. 

There are several phenomena connected with [this 
subject, which many jDeople understand practically 
without knowing their cause. In summer, when their 
is much dew, in the morning, a fair day is -expected ; — 
when it is cool, calm and clear, at night, a frost is 
feared. But if there be no dew, foul weather is appre- 
hended, although the sky may be nearly clear; — and if. 
at night, it be cloudy, or windy, although quite cold, no 
frost is expected. 

In clear, calm weather, after the smi sets, the earth's 
surface soon becomes cooler than the air above by its 
radiation, in consequence of which the moisture in the 
air is condensed upon the surface in the form of dew. 
If the cooling be sufficient to reduce the surface to the 
freezing point, the dew becomes frozen in the form of 
hoar-frost, and this often takes place while the air, 
generally, is several degrees above the freezing point. 
When the atmosphere is cloudy or hazy, the heat which 
the earth's surface looses by radiations is restored by 
the radiation from the clouds and vapor, and when it 
is windy the warmer parts of the air are continually 
brought down to the surface. 

What 19 said of the temperature of vallicsaml high lands 7 — of rc^etatir.n ]— 
of frosts ? What does a copious dew indicate ! — the'absence of dew ? ^Vhen i8 
frost fcar»l.' How is dew formed ?— frost 7 Wliy have w« no dews ^heu it :« 
kazy, Cloudy or windy 1 



CLIMATE AND METI>0R0tOOV. 85 

6. Freezing of Lake Champlain. — The narrow parts of 
Lake Champlain, become frozen so as to interrupt nav- 
igation through the Lake, early in December, and the 
broadest parts are closed over about the first of Feb- 
ruary. The lake usually opens again early in April, 
and is again navigable about the 20th of that month. 
The usual period of navigation through the entire 
length of the lake extends from the 20th of April to the 
28th of November. The broadest part of the lake, be- 
tween Burlington and Port Kent in New York, contin- 
ues open for navigation till some time in January. 

When the lake opens late in the spring, the ice some- 
times disappears so suddenly that many have supposed 
that it sinks. But this is not so. At such times, the 
water un,der the ice being seT/eral degrees above freez- 
ing, and the ice having become very porous, whenever 
a rent is made in it, and the wind high, the agitation of 
the water causes it to dissolve almost as readily as so 
much snosv. The lake has been kno3A'n to be passable 
by persons on foot on om^ day, and to be clear of ice 
the next, but such occurrences are rare, and only take 
place with a high wind when the ice has continued later 
than usual upon the lake in the spring. 

7. Anchor Ice. During the severe cold weather of 
winter, ice is sometinjes seen formed upon the stones 
beneath the >vater at the bottoni of streams, where the 
current is rapid and considerably agitated. This is 
called anchor ice. In order to the formation of anchor 
ice, it is necessary that the water of the stream and 
the stones at the bottom be first cooled down to the 
temperature of freezing. The stones than act as nu- 
clei upon which the crystals of ice are formed, and to 
which they adhere by attraction. Under these circum- 

When does lake Chaniplain usually close and open "? What the period of navi- 
gation ? What is said of the broadest part "? What is said of the disappearance 
of the ice? Does it sink? How explained? What has been known of it? 
What is found in streams 7 What is it called ? What is necessary to its forniu- 
tiou ? What the process 7 What phenomenon is mentioned ? 



66 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Stances the ice, which is lighter than water, is said^ 
sometimes, to accumulate in such quantity as to lift 
the stones from their beds, and float them down the 
stream. 

8. Indian Summer is a name given to a period, usually 
of about two weeks, which occurred between the middle 
ofOctoberandthe firstof December, in which the weath- 
er was veiy calm and warm, and the atmosphere filled 
with smoke. These seasons appear to have been very 
regular in their occurrence and marked in tiieir charac- 
ter when the country was new, but they have now be- 
come so irregular and illdeliiicd as almost to have ceas- 
ed to attract attention. 

0. Smoky Atmosphere. During the spring and fall there 
are usually a number of days in which the atmosphere is 
filled with smoke, and the opinion has prevailed, said to 
have been derived from the Indians, that there must be 
at least 30 smoky days both in spring and fall, and that 
the setting in of winter was not to be feared in the fall till 
that number had elapsed. But the number. 30, has now 
ceased to be a charm to delay tlie advance of wint/^r. 

10. Dark Days. During the occurrence of the smoky 
days in spring and fall, the atmosphere sometimes be- 
comes so much filled with smoke, vapour and clouds, 
as almost to convert the day into night. The most 
remarkable occurrence of this kind, on record, wa.s on 
the memorable 19th of May, 1780, denominated em})ha- 
tically thoDark Day. The darkest days in modern times 
were in the fall of 1819 and in the spring of 1820. 

11. Fire Balls and Earthquakes. Several of those meteors 
called fire balls have been noticed in Vermont. One of 
these passed over the southern part of the State on the 
23d of Feb. 1819. Its diameter was computed to be 
one-third of a mile. Another similar meteor was seen 

■what is meant by Indian summer 1 when docs it occur ? — what is said of it— 
wha of somky atmosphere 1— what traiUiion ?— what is said of Dnrk Days?— 
wliat one is mcniorable .'-wbaJ said of fire balls ?— what ones mentioned ?— what the 



CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY. 87 

on the 9th of March, 1822, and another was seen from 
the north part of the State on the 28th of May, 1834. 
The concussion of the atmosphere, occasioned by the 
last mentioned meteor, caused a trembling of the earth 
which would have been mistaken for an earthquake, 
produced by some force v/ithin the earth, if the meteor 
had not been seen. Very many of the earthquakes no- 
ticed in New England, have probably been produced 
by meteors. 

Meteors of this kind often throw off fragments, which 
fall to the earth. These are called meteoric stones or 
meteorolites. A large quantity of meteoric stones fell to 
the earth from a meteor which passed over Wes-ton in 
Connecticut on the 14th of December, 1807. 

12. The Aurora Borealis has been a very common mete- 
or in Vermont from the first settlement of the State ; but 
in some years it occurs much more frequently, and is 
more remarkable in appearance, than in ethers. Its 
most common form is that of streamers shooting up 
from the horizon towards the zenith, or of concentric 
arches spanning the northern portion of the heavens. 
One of the most remarkable exhibitions of this meteor 
was on the evening of the 25th of January, 1837. It 
appeared in the form of two broad belts, one a deep 
red and the other white ; but the red light so far predo- 
minated as to give a bloody hue to the snow and all 
visible objects. The aurora borealis is probably pro- 
duced by electricity, but the manner in which it is 
produced is not well understood. 

13. The Variation of tJw Magnetic Needle is the deviation 
of the north end of the needle from the true north point 
of the horizon. Very few observations have been made 
m Vermont to determine this variation j and these few 



effect of the last 1— what the inference? What do meteora throw 00"?— what ex- 
ample nifiitioned 7 — What is said of the Aurora Borealis 1 — of its Ibrrns ? — what 
remarkable one ? — how is this meteor produced ? What is meant by the variation 
of the needle ? — has it been well determined in Vermont 1 — what appeara 1 — whal 
was it in l-rOo ]— what since ]— prcaeni variation J 



88 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



have been made with so little care and with such im- 
perfect instruments that veiy little reliance can be 
placed upon them. It appears, however, that the varia- 
tion has always been towards the west since the first 
settlement of the State— that in 1805, the western varia- 
tion in the central parts of the State was 5 or 6*=^., and 
that it has nearly doubled since that period. The pre- 
sent variation at the north line of the State is now 
about 12°.j and at Burlington about 10°. 



Tahh ef Magnetic Variatioyi observed 


in Vermont. 


Place of Observation. 


--I -i I 


Lamude|^L-i, 


Avthoritiea. 


Burlington, 


1793 


7<=38' 


44°28'1 73« 


Dr. Williams, 


« ° ' 


1818 


7 SO 


u 


(( 


J. Johnson, Esq. 


u 


1822 


7 42 


u 


u 


u ' 


u 


1830 


8 10 


u 


u 


u 


« 


1831 


8 15 


a 


li 


u 


u 


1832 


8 25 


a 


(C 


a 


u 


1834 


8 50 


u 


(( 


u 


u 


1837 


8 45 


u 


u 


Prof, Benedict. 


u 


1840 


9 42 


li 


u 


J. Johnson, Esq. 


Rutland, 


1789 


7 3 


A3 37 


72 


Dr. Williams. 


« ' 


1810 


6 4 


a 


u 


a 


« 


1811 


6 1 


(( 


li 


li 


Rye gate, 


1801 


7 


44 10 


72 


Gen. Whitelaw. 


Holland, 


1785 


7 40 


45 


71 


" 


St. Johnsbury, 


1837 


9 16 


44 26| 71 


Prof. Twining. 


Barton, 


1857 


10 51 


44 44 




u 


Montpelier, 


1829 


12 25 


44 17 


72 


Exec. Docu's. 


Pownal, 


1786 


5 52 


42 46 


72 


Dr. Williams. 


Canaan, 


1806 


9 00 


45 


71 


u 



STATE OF VERMONT, 



PART SECOJND. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPtlY. 

I. TABULAR VIEW. 



First settlement, - - - 1724 
Government organi?:ed, - 1778 
Admitted ipto the Upion, 1791 



Sq. miles(exclusive of lakeC.)8,55l 
PopylatioR in 1840, - - 291,948 
Pop. to a square mile, - - 34^ 




*The grand list is only the o?ie hundredth part of the ratable prop- 
erty of the state. It serv'es, however, tt^ indicate the relative wealth of 
the different counties aiid townst 

When was the first settlement in Vermont .'—the jrovernment organized?— 
admitted into the union 7 llow many square miles? What is meant by a square 
mile] What the difference between'iwo square miles and two miles »quare? — 
population in 1S40 ?— to a square mile 1 Which county was first settled ? — next ? 
Which county is most populous ] — least.' Which largest? — smallest? Which 
has most persons to the square mile J Which ftwest ? Which has the hightot 
list .'— lovvest ' 

8* 



90 POLITICAL CEOGRArHY. 

ORIGIN OF THE GOVERNMENT. 

1. Claims of JurisdiciLon. Previous to any settlements 
within the present limits of Vermont, what is now the 
southeast corner of this State was supposed to be a 
part of Massachusetts ; and, in 1724, Massachusetts built 
fort Dummer in wiiat is now the township of Brattle- 
borough. In 1741 the north line of Massachusetts was 
surveyed, and fort Dummer was found to be to the 
northward of that line, and, as was supposed, within 
the limits of New Hampshire, both of those provinces 
claiming: jurisdiction as far westward as to a line 20 
miles east of Hudson river. 

2. Township Grcinls. In January, 1749, Benning Went- 
worth, governor of New Hampshire, made a grant of s 
township lying, as he supposed, on the west line of 
that State, and which, in allusion to his own name, he 
ealled Bennington. This was the first grant of land 
within the present State of Vermont. Other townships 
were, however, granted soon after, and in the course of 
15 years they amounted to 13S. During this period a 
violent controvery arose between New Hampshire and 
New York, both claiming jurisdiction over the territory. 
In the mean time extensive settlements had been made 
under New Hampshire titles. In 1764 the jurisdiction of 
New York was confirmed by a royal decree.but New York 
refused to confirm the grants made by New Hampshire, 
nnd proceeded to regrant the lands ; for which was de- 
manded an exorbitant fee. The settlers under grants 
from New Hampshire refused to pay this fee, or to re- 
linquish the titles for which they had paid to New Hamp- 
shire. This brought on a controversy between New 
York and the settlers under grants from New Hamp- 

When was fort Dummer built 7 — where? — in what was it supposed to be? When 
was the uorlh lino of Mass. surveyed ! — what was found ? — what suppos^'d? IIow 
far did these provinces claim r Which townshij) was first granted in Vermont? — 
when? — by whom? Why so named? IIow many grants in 15 years? W'hat 
otlier?~w!iat took i>lace in 17&1?— what did N. Y. do?~what did the settlers do? 



OIUGIN OF THE GOVERNMENT. 01 

sliire, and licnce the whole territory in dispute became 
known to the world as the Neio TIainpshir-e Grants. 

3. Towns. Each township charter granted by New 
Hampshire provided for the organization of the town, 
whenever the settlement was sufficiently advanced, by 
the election of certain town officers, and by the adop- 
tion of such regulations as the condition of the town 
was thought to require. 

The townships were generally six miles square, con- 
taining 23040 acres, and divided into 72 shares, of 320 
acres each. Four of these shares were reserved for 
public rights, viz. : one for the society for the propaga- 
tion of the Gospel, one for a glebe for the Church of 
England, one for the first settled minister of the Gos- 
pel, and one for the benefit of schools. 

The above mentioned society for propagating the 
Gospel, is in England ; but the avails of the grants made 
to that society, in Vermont, are enjoyed by the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church in this State. The glebes for 
the Church of England have been appropriated by our 
State Legislature for the support of schools. 

4. Councils of Safety. As early as 1770, several towns 
had become organized, and soon after this period they 
began to organize Councils (f Safety in the several towns 
for the purpose of a more effectual opposition to the 
unjust claims of New York ; and at length formed, for 
the same object, a general Council of Safety^ consisting 
of delegates from the several towns. 

5. Vermont Independence. By these councils, or com- 
mittees, the affairs of the New Hampshire Grants were 
managed till 1776, when about 50 towns had become 
organized. It was then agreed to call a convention to 
consist of delegates, to be chosen by the several orga- 

—wbat (lid this produce?— why was the country called the N. II. Grants? What 
was provided for in the town charters? What tlie size of the townships? How 
many acres? shore? What public rights reserved? Where is the society for 
propogating the gospel? What is said of the glebes? How early were towns or- 
ganized? Councils of saA'ty? What their object? How loner were atfairs nian- 
aTC'd by these councils? What was then done .' When did it nject ?— what dui jj 



92 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

■ ■" ■ ' ■ • — ■'"■■'■ ■ ■ ■ II »•* . 

nized towns. This convention met at Westminster on 
the 15th of January, 1777, and on the following day de- 
clared the territory, usually called the New Hampshire 
Grants, to be a free and independent State, to be hereaf- 
ter called New Connecticut alias Vermo?it. On the 4th of 
June following, this convention met again, at Windsor, 
and resolved to drop the New Connecticut and the 
alias andto retain VERMONT alone as the name of the 
State. 

6. Cotistitution. On the 2d of July, 1777, delegates from' 
the several towns met ^in convention at Windsor, and 
adopted the first constitution of the State. This con- 
stitution was revised in 1786, and again in 1792, and 
was adopted in its present form on the 4th of July, 1793. 
Since that time there have been several amendments, 
the most important of which were made in January, 
1836, and by which the old council was abolished and 
a Senate substituted as a co-ordinate branch of the 
Legislature. 

7. Vermont Charters. Somewhat more than half of 
our present territory had been granted before Vermont 
assumed the powers of self-government, and the re- 
maining portion was, in the course of a few years, grant- 
ed by the government of the State. The Vermont chart- 
ers were similar in many respects to those granted by 
New Hampshire. In most of these one share was re- 
served for the support of the Gospel in the town, one 
for the first settled minister, one for the support of 
schools, one for the support of a county grammar school,- 
and one for the support of a state university. 

8. Origin of PoliticaJ Power. AH political power orig- ' 
inates in the will of the people. The inhabitants of 
each town constitute a little democracy, and by asso» 
elating together, virtually pledge themselves to be gov- 

• — ■ • ) 

do ? What part of the name was dropped ? When ? When was the first constitii- ; 
tion formed '—when devieed 7— when adopted in its present form ? What has since j 
been done 1 What the most important amendment 7 ^^'hat part of Vi. granted be- \ 



OniGIX OF THE GOVERNMENT. 03" 

erned by the will of the majority. They meet together, 
and by vote adopt rules, and appoint officers to execute 
the will of the people* This process of town organiza- 
tion is the first step in the establishment of civil gov- 
ernment. 

9. Ihwn Officers. The principal officers which ouf 
present town organizations require, are a Town Clerk, 
whose duty it is to record the proceedings of the town 
meetings, and all the public documents of the town: 
three Select men, who shall lay out highways, assess 
the taxes in accordance with a vote of the town or 
state, and superintend the general interests of the 
town: three Listers, who shall appraise property, and 
make out the grand list ; a Constable,to collect the taxesj 
a Treasurer, to receive and pay out the public money : 
an Overseer of the poor: Superintendents of Schools,and 
some others. All these are elected annually, in the 
month of March, and hold their offices for one year. 

10. Freemen's Meeting. The Constitution of the state, 
having been formed by delegates from the organized 
towns, and ratified by the people, is the supreme law 
of the land. In accordance with the provisions of this 
instrument, a meeting of the freemen in each town is 
held on the first Tuesday of September, for the election 
of state officers. The officers voted for at this meeting 
are : Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Coun- 
ty Senators and Town Representatives, and, as occasion 
requires, Representatives in Congress and electors 
of President and Vice President. To be entitled to vote 
in Freemen's Meeting, a person must be a citizen of the 
United States, must be 21 years of age, must have resi- 
ded in Vermont one whole year next preceding the 
meeting, and must have taken the oath of allegiance 
to the state ; and to^vote for town representatives ho 

for* its goyemmonl was organized f By whom was the remjiinder granted 7 Wha« 
is said of the Vt. chaneral — wh^it reservations 1 Where does political poww 
.'arigiaate ? What do tbe p©o|ji€ 0/ each town constitute 1 Wliai the ptoccsa o( 



04 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

must have resided in the town three months next pro- 
ceeding the election. 



II. DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT. 

The government of the State of Vermont consists of 
three separate departments, the Legislative, the Exe- 
cutive, and the Judiciary. 

1. Legislative Power. The supreme legislative power 
is exercised by a Senate and House of Representatives, 
which, together, are stiled The General Assembly of the 
State of Vermont. The senators and representatives 
are chosen annually on the first Tuesday in Sep- 
tember, and meet in general asssembly on the second 
Thursday in October following. 

2. The Senate consists of 30 members, chosen by coun- 
ties and at present appointed as follows, to wit : Ad- 
dison, 2 J Bennington, 2 ; Caledonia, 2; Chittenden, 2; 
Essex, 1; Franklin, 3; Grand Isle, 1; Lamoille, 1; Or-^ 
ange, 3; Orleans, 1 ; Rutland, 3j Washington, 2; Wind- 
ham, 3 ; Windsor, 4. - 

To be a senator a person must be 30 years of age, 
and must be a freeman of the county in which he is 
elected. Senators are elected by plurality of votes. 

The Meutonant Governor is president of the senate 
c.r-o/^cio, but can give only a casting vote, when 
the senate is equally divided ; and they elect their own 
secretary. The senate has power to decide on the elec- 
tion and qualification of its members, and a majority 
of the senators constitutes a quorum. The senate may 
originate resolutions and bills of all kinds, excepting for 

organization? Name the principal town officers and their duties ? When elec- 
ted? What is said of the constitution ? For wliat does it provide ? What offi- 
cers are then voted for ? what is necessary to cjititlc a person to vote in freemen's 
mcctinir ? Of what departments docs the frnverment consist ? In what is the Ici,'- 
islativo power rested? What aro they etjledi' When chosen 7 When do thoy moot ? 



DEPARTMENTS OP GOVERNMENT. 05 

revenue, which last must always originate in the house 
of representatives ; and their concurrence is necessa- 
ry for the passage of all bills and resolutions, which 
originate in the house of representatives. The senate 
have the sole power of trying and deciding all impeach- 
ments. 

3. The Iloii^^e of Represpjitatives consists of one mem- 
ber from each organized town, to be chosen annually 
by the freemen of the town, on the first Tuesday in Sep- 
tember, and the constitution requires that they be per- 
sons most noted for wisdom and virtue. A majority of the 
representatives chosen, constitutes a quorum for trans- 
jictir-.g all business excepting the raising of a stnte tax, 
and that rocjiiire-s the presence of two-thirds. The rep- 
resentatives have power to elect a speaker, clerk and 
other officer-S'Gf tlie house, and to judge of the elections 
and qualificatiens of their own members. They can 
also originate and prepare bills.. and, with the concur- 
roncectf ths -senate, enact them into laws. But they 
shall have no power to add to, alter, abolish, or infringe 
any part of the constitution of the state. 

For the election of general state officers, excepting 
the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer, who 
are chosen by the people, the 8 enste anS representa- 
tives meet in joint assenibly, at which meeting the pre- 
siding officer of the senate shall preside. The perma- 
nent state officers elected by the joint assembly aTe,va 
secretary of state, auditor of accouRts, judges of the 
supreme, the county, and the probate courts, a sheriff 
and state's attorney for each county, and justices of 
the peace for each town. When there is no choice of 
governor, by the freemen, the joint assembly shall elect 
for governor, one of the three candidates for whom the 
greatest number of votes shall have been returned. 

IIow mnny Senators 1 How appointcil ? Qualifications 7 How elected ? What 
is said ol the lieutenant governor? What is iDeant by ex-olHrio ? What are 
the powers of jlie Senate? Of what docs the house of representatives consist ? 
When chosen? What qualifications required ? How many a quorum? What 
IkeJr powers? What coiisiituie the joint assembly? What state offi;crs ajra 



96 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHy. 

They may also elect major and brigadier generals of 
milita, as vacancies occur. 

4. Executive Power. The supreme executive power 
of the state is vested in the governor, or. in case of his 
absence, or disability, in the lieutenant-governor. It is 
the duty of the governor to commission all officers, to 
correspond with other States, to transact business with 
the officers of government, and to lay before the gene- 
ral assembly such matters as, he may think, require 
their attention. He n>ay appoint a secretary of civil 
and military affairs, whose services he may at all times 
command, and, for the payment of whose salary, provi- 
sion shall be made by la\yo 

6, Judiciary Power. The judiciary power of the. State 
is exercised by a supreme court and court of chancery, 
a county court in each pounty, justices of the peace in 
each town, and a probate court in each probate district. 

6. The Supreme Court consists of on,e chief judge and 
five assistant judges, any three of whom constitute a 
quorum. This court holds one .session annually in each 
county. The judges of the supreme coijrt are justices 
of the peace throughout the State. 

Each judge of the supreme court is a chancellor, and, 
within his judicial circuit, possesses, and may exercise 
all the jurisdiction and powers, which now are, or here- 
after may be, vested in a court of chancery. 

7. The County Court consists of one of the judges of 
the supreme court, who acts as chief judge, and two 
assistant-judges in each county, 

Each county coi;rt, within the several counties, has 
original and exclusive jurisdiction of all original civil 
and criminal actions, except such as are made cogniz- 
able by a justice of the peace, and has appellate juris- 
diction in all causes appealable to such court, and may 
render judgment according to law. 

chosen by the joint assembly ? What is said of the executive power? W^hat is 
the governor's duty? In what is the judiciary power vetted? what i^ f<aid of 
irupreiiie court '—of a court of f hanecry ? Of wnat does the county court ecu- 



DEPAR*rMEN«8 OP GOVERNMENT. ^^ 



The judges of the county court appoint the superin- 
tendents of common schools for their respective coun- 
ties; and also grant licences for the sale of ardent spirits. 

8. Justices of the Peace within their respective jurisdic- 
tions have power to try and determine all actions of a 
criminal nature, which are punishable by fine, not ex- 
ceeding ten dollars ; and to commit to prison, or to 
bind over for trial, by the county court, all offenders, 
whose crimes exceed their powers to try. They have 
original and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil causes, 
where the matter in demand does not exceed $100, ex- 
cept in actions for slanderous words, false imprison- 
ment, replevin above the sum of |7, and where the 
title of land is concerned. They also have jurisdiction 
in actions of trespass, where the sum in demand does 
not exceed $20. 

Probate Courts. — For the settlement of the estates of 
deceased persons, the state is divided into 20 probate 
districts, and a probate court established in each. Each 
of the six southern counties in the state, is, at present 
divided into two probate districts ; and each of the 
eight northern counties constitutes one probate dis- 
trict. 

The probate court consists of one judge in each dis- 
trict, who is authorized to appoint a register of said 
court, whom he may remove at pleasure. Probate 
courts are required to be held in each district as often 
as once in each month. 

All matters originally within the jurisdiction of the 
probate court, may be carried to the county court by 
appeal, and from that to the supreme court, for the di- 
cision of questions of law. 

The judiciary powers of the state are, at present, 
exercised by six supreme court judges, twenty-eight 

sist? What its jurisdictifin 1 W hat the juripcliction of justices of the peace in 
criminal actions ?— in civil causes ■?— trespass ? What are probate courts for ' 
Itow many probate districts? How districted 7 Of what does this court consist t 
How oA«n held ? By what are the judiciary powers of the ttate now exercieed i 



98 POLITICAL GEOCnAPIlV. 

county judges, twenty judges of probate, and near 
three thousand justices of the peace, all of whom 
are chosen annually by the general assembly. 

10. Council of Censors. One of the most striking pecul- 
iarities in the Constitution of Vermont, is its provision 
for the election of a council oj censors. This council con- 
sists of thirteen persons chosen, once in seven years, 
on the last Wednesday in March ; and they may exer- 
cise the powers given them by the constitution, during^ 
the period of one year, from the day of their election. 
They are required to hold their first meeting, on the 
first Wednesday in June, next after their election. 

The business of this council, is to enquire, 

1. Whether the constitution has been preserved invi- 
olate. 

2. Whether the branches of government have confin- 
ed themselves to the due exercise of their powers for 
the good of the people. 

3. Whether the laws have been faithfully executed, 
the taxes justly laid, and the revenue legally expended. 

4. They shall have authority to pass public censures, 
to order impeachments, and to recommend the repeal 
of such laws, as appear to them to have been passed, 
contrary to the principles of the constitution. 

5. They may recommend amendments to the consti- 
tution, and they may call a convention for the discus- 
sion, and the adoption or rejection, of the amendments 
proposed. 

Although the successive councils had frequently pro- 
posed amendments to the constitution, and had called 
conventions for their consideration, no amendment was 
adopted, till 1828, when one of the articles proposed by 
the council elected in 1827, and which related to the 
naturalization of foreigners, was adopted. By this ar- 

IIow are they chosen 1 What is peculiar in the constitution of Vt. what is said 
of this council? When nnist they meet ? What their first inquiry 1— second ?— 
thiriH What their auiliority ? Wliat may they reconinienil? \Vhere was tho 
first amendment made? What its object J How long must a foreigner reside 



DEPARTMENTg OP GOVERNMENT. 99 

ticlc, foreigners are required to become naturalized, in 
accordance with the laws of the United States, which 
require a residence, of at least five years in the coun^ 
try. In 1836, a series of amendments, proposed by the 
council elected in 1834, was adopted, by which a senate 
was constituted as a co-ordinate branch of the legisla^ 
ture, and the old advisory council was abolished. 

The above embrace all the amendments to the con- 
stitution, since its adoption, in 1793. 

11. Laws and Punishments. The business of legisla- 
tion was commenced in Vermont, in 1778, but of the laws 
passed that year, no record is preserved. They are 
understood to have been general enactments, such as 
declaring the laws " as they stand in the Connecticut Law 
book," or, in defect of those laws, the plain word of God, 
as contained in the Scriptures, to be the law of the land, 
till the legislature should have time to digest, and 
enact a code adapted to the circumstances of the coun- 
try. 

The first code of printed laws, was enacted in 1779^^ 
These were promulgated, by a proclamation of gover- 
nor Chittenden, commanding the people "to take notice 
thereof, and govern themselves accordingly." These 
laws, although many of their provisons have been 
swept away by subsequent enactments, form the basis 
of the present statute laws of the state. 

Since 1779, the acts of the general assembly, have 
been published in pamphlet form, at the close of each 
session. 

Revisions and compilations of the unrepealed laws, 
of the State, have been made from time to time ; the 
last of which was made in 1839. and the revised statutes 
published in 1840. 

here before he can be naturalized ? What amendment in 1836 7 What their ef- 
fect ? When was le:;islation commenced ? What is understood respecting the 
first laws "i When the first printed laws % How pronmlgated ? Of what arc they 
the basia I What has been done emce 1779 ? Have the laws been revised 1 
Wkenliist? What is eaid of the penal laws! What change? For what has 



100 POLITICAL GEOGaAPHY. 

The penal laws in Vermont, have undergone a great 
change since the first code was promulgated. The 
barbarous practice of whipping, branding and the pil- 
lory as punishment for crime, have been exchanged for 
imprisonment at hard labor in the state prison. 

Murder is the only crime for which capital punish- 
ment has been inflicted since the organization of the 
government. Few executions have taken place. The 
first was that of Cyrus B. Dean, at Burlington in 1808 ; 
the second, Samuel E. Godfrey, at Woodstock in 
1818 J the third, Virginia, at St. Albans, in 1820, and 
the ■ fourth, Archibald Bates at Bennington in 1839. 
A Mr. Anthony at Rutland, and a Mrs. Peak at Chelsea, 
died in prison while under sentence of death. David 
Redding, was executed at Bennington, for " enemicai 
conduct" before the organization of the state govern- 
ment. 

13. State Prison. — In 1807 an act was passed provid- 
ing for the erection of a state prison at Windsor and 
during the two following years the buildings were 
nearly completed. The first commitments were made in 
1809, and the average annual number of commitments 
since that time has been about 34, and the average time 
for which they were sentenced about 4 years. The pris- 
oners have been employed in various kinds of work, but 
the avails of their labors have hitherto fallen far short of 
the expenses of the prison. 

capital punishment been inflicted 1 Wliat executions have takem place ? W^hen 
WRs the state prison built ■? When the first commitment? The average numb*r1 
What is said of the avails of the labor 1 



I 



STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



m 



III. STATE INSTITUTIONS- 




State HoiLse. 

1. State House. At the time Montpelier became the 
capital of the State, the inhabitants of that town, and 
vicinity, erected a state house, and gave it to the state; 
and the first session of the legislature, was held in it, 
in 1808. This building was of wood, and having, at 
length, become inconvenient, and, having gone some- 
what to decay, it Was res6lved, in, 1831, to erect a new 
one. 

The building of the new state hdiise, was commenc- 
ed, inl833, under the superintendence of Ami B. Young" 
Esq. as architect, and in 1836, was so far advanced tow- 
ards completion, as to be occupied by the legislature. 
The entire building and yards, were finished in 1838', 
making a period of 5 i years, for the time of its erec- 
tion. 

It was built, entirely of granite, is in the form of a 
cross, and is 150 feet long, and 100 feet deep, in the cen- 
tre. The central part is 72 feet broad, and each of the 
wings 39 feet. The wings are 36 feet high, and the 

Of what class the Vt. flag consent ? What the essential? in the coat of arms ? When 
the first statehousc built ? When was a new one Commenced 1 Who was the archi- 
tect ? W'hei finished 7 How long in building 1 What its form ?— length 1- 



depth ? — its front? 



-height 1— What is said of the erection ? — cost ?— Of whom 



lOS POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

height of the dome is 100 feet. The interior is occupi- 
ed by the representatives' hall, senate chamber, library, 
and a large number of public rooms, and offices. The 
whole cost was $132,077, of which sum the town of 
Montpelier paid $15,000. 

2. Militia. The militia of Vermont, consists of all 
the able bodied men, with a few exceptions, between 
the ages of 18 and 45 years. Previous to 1844, the 
whole militia was organized in companies, regiments 
and brigades, and each company was required to be 
called out for inspection, drill and dicipline once, at 
least, in each year, on the first Tuesday in June. In 
1844, the organization of companies was abolished, and 
the listers in the respective towns were required to 
enroll all persons liable to do military duty. 

Within the bounds of each regiment, six uniform 
companies, not exceeding 100 men each, may be or- 
ganized and meet for review and drill, and when the 
public service shall require a force exceeding that of 
the uniform companies, it shall be supplied by the or- 
ganization of companies from the enrolled militia. 

The whole militia of the state is now comprehended 
in three divisions, nine brigades and twenty-eight regi- 
ments. All the general, field and staff officers are 
considered as belonging to the uniform militia, while 
the enrolled miltia remains unorganized into compa- 
nies. 

3. Flag of Vermont. The flag, or banner, of Vermont, 
as established by law. consists of thirteen stripes, al- 
ternate red and white, and the union, one large star, 
white in a blue field, with the coat of arms of the state 
therein. 

does the militia of Vt. consist? IIow organized previous to 1844? What was 
then done? What i.s said of uniform conipnnies? How may a greater force ba 
liad?— Ill iw many divisions of militia ? — brigades ?— regiments ? To wh.at do 
the general olijccrs bclonij ? Ol" what dues the Hag of Venuout consist ] What 



STATE INSTITUTIONS* 



105 




4. Coat of Arms. The device usu- 
ally embraced in the coat of arms 
of the state, consists of mountains, 
an evergreen, kine, a plough and 
sheaves of grain. 



Coats of arms are devices upon seals, badges and 
banners, which are employed as marks of distinction. 
In Europe, where the orders of nobility are kept up, 
the subject of armorial bearings has become a science 
under the name of heraldry, in this country, where 
"we have no orders of nobility, family distinctions have 
ceased to be represented by heraldic devices; but the 
general government, and the several states of the Un- 
ion continue to employ them on their banners and pub- 
lic seals. The emblem adopted by the United States is 
an eagle, bearing a bundle of arrows in one claw and 
an olive branch in the other, with the addition of stars, 
and 13 stripes, alternate red and white, on their flag. 

(23) 

5. Banks. The first paper currency 
was issued in bills of credit, 'for the 
carrying on of the war, paying the 
State debts, and increasing the circu- 
lating medium.' These bills were all 
faithfully redeemed by the State. A fac 
simile of a whole bill may be seen in 
Thompson's Vt. PartII.,p. 134. Fig. 
23 is a fac simile of the devise upon the face of these 
bills. 

The first bank was a State bank, established in 1806, 
It consisted of four branches, viz. ; one at Burlington, 
one at Woodstock, one at Middlebury, and one at West- 




tlic dcTicc of the coat of arms ? What is ni^ant by coats of arms 1 W'hat is said 
of Europe 1 How is it in this cotmtry ? — W'hat was the first issue of paper mon- 
ey in Vt. ?— Was it all redeemed ?— When was the first Bank estahliFhedl— Of 
how many Dranchcs did it courfist ?— Did it answer expectation ]— When was tlie 



104 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

■ ■ ■'• ■ ■ — - — ■ . ,11 I , 

minster. This bank failed to answer the expectations 
of the founders, and, after a few years, its business 
was brought, to a close, and its bills were gradually re- 
deemed through the State treasury. 

In 1818, the present Bank of Burlington was incorpo- 
rated, and since that period banks have been establish- 
ed in various parts of the State. The present number 
of banks of discount and deposit in the State is nine- 
teen ; and there are eight savings banks. 

6. Revenue. The revenue of Vermont is derived al- 
most entirely from direct taxation. For the purpose of 
assessing the taxes there is an appraisal of all the rata- 
ble property in the State, and one per cent, of this ap- 
praisal is set in the list. To this are added the polls at 
$2 each, and certain assessments of attorneys, physi- 
cians, &c., and the whole constitutes the Grand List 
upon which State, county, and town taxes are assessed. 

In the appraisals which are made by the listers, all 
public property is exempted — also, household furniture 
not exceeding $500 — wearing apparel — libraries and 
tools. 

The whole Grand List of the State amounted, in 1847, 
to $784,437. This being only one per cent, on the ap- 
praisal of the property, the whole amount of taxable 
property in the State, (including polls and assessments 
of faculty as such) will be one hundred times the grand 
list, or $78,443,700. 

7. Salaries. The salaries attached to the several per- 
manent offices of the State are generally small. The 
following are the principal : — 

Governor's salary, _ _ _ _ $750 

Judges of the Supreme Court, (each) 1375 

Treasurer, ._,_-- 400 

first of the present banks established 7— How many banks of discount now?— How 
manv savings banks? — From what is (he revenus of Vt. derived? — Upon what 
are the taxes aseeseed ?— How is the grand list mude 7— What property exempted ? 
What the whole list of the State ?— The amovmt of taxable property 1— What is 
eaid of salaries .'—What salary does the governor rcceire .'—The judge of the su- 



STATE ISSTITUTIOWg. 105 

Secretary of State, - - . - 275 

Secretary of the Senate, . _ , 250 

Clerk of the House of Representatives, 275 

Secretary to the Governor, - - 200 

Engrossing Clerk, _ - _ . 150 

Assisting Secretary of the Senate, - 125 

Assisting Clerk of the House, - - 125 

State Librarian, ----- 100 

Superintendent of State Prison, - 500 

The President of the Senate receives /owr dollars per 

day, the speaker of the House three dollars, and the 

Senators and Representatives one and a half dollar per 

day, while attending the general assembly ; and they 

receive for travel each way ten cents per mile* 

8, Lotteries. The practice of raising money by lot- 
teries for specific objects was, in early times, legalized 
by the legislatures of most of the states in the Union; 
and Vermont, although she did not indulge largely in 
this species of gambling, adopted it a while as a method 
of dispensing charity and promoting good objects. Up 
to 1804 the whole number of lotteries authorized wad 
24. As early as 1800 a very considerable change had 
taken place in the public sentiment with regard to the 
propriety of raising money by lotteries, and only one 
lottery was authorized after that period. 

After the legislature ceased to authorize lotteries 
within the State, the sale of foreign lottery tickets be- 
came so general here, that, in 1826, a law was passetl 
prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets without a licence, 
and imposing a duty of $500 for a licence to sell tickets 
for one year. The penalty for selling without a license 
was fixed at $1000. The next year the cost of a licence 
was raised to $1000 and the penalty to $2000. 

By the present laws of the State, lotteries of all kinds, 

prem» court ?— the treafiur»T < «fcc. What pay has the president of the senate 7 — 
the Bpeakef?— senators? &c.— What is said of lotteries ?— Were lotteries author- 
ized in Vi.? How many'? Wh«n did public eentiment change on the subject ?— 
Whit lawa wore oaased roflpecting tke sol* of tick«te? What iha proaeat laws ? 



108 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

and the sale of lottery tickets, are prohibited by severe 
penalties. 

9. Post Offices. The first post office was established 
at Bennington in 1783, with a weekly post between that 
place and Albany, N. Y. In 1784 additional post offices 
were established at Rutland. Brattleborough, Windsor 
and Newbury. These were established by the author- 
ity of the State, and Anthony Haswell, Esq.. was post- 
master-general. 

When Vermont was admitted into the Union, in 1791, 
the post offices here come under the control of the 
general government, and since that time they have been 
multiplied till almost every neighborhood has its post- 
office, and the greater part of the offices, daily mails. 

10. Telegraph. In addition to the post-office communi- 
cation there is a line of magnetic telegraph extending 
from south to north through the whole length of the state, 
near its western border. This places the villages 
through which it passes in momentary communication 
with all the principal cities in the United States and 
Canada. The communication by telegraph, between 
Burlington and Troy, N. Y., was opened on the 2d of 
Feb. 1848, and between Burlington and Montreal, C. E., 
shortly afterwards. 

When were pOBt oiTicea first established in Vt.7 Who was post master treneral ? — 
What was done in 1701 ? What has since been done 1 What toiegrapliic comaiu- 
Dication has been established 1 When 1 



THE PEOTLE AWD THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 



107 




IV. THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 

1. Ahoriginese. The territory of Vermont appears 
never to have been very thickly inhabited by Indians. 
The vallies of Connecticut river and lake Champlain, 
were thoroughfares through which they made their ex- 
cursions to the northward and southv/ard, and, at times, 
small bands had their residence on the margins of those 
waters. 

The Indians, who resided along the upper parts of the 
Connecticut, were a branch of the Abenaqui, or St. 
Francis tribe. Their chief residence, was where the 
town of Newbury now is, and was called by them Coos, 
which, in their language, signifies the pines. They 
were sometimes called Coosucks^ that is, the Pineriver 
Indians, suck, in their tongue signifying river. Capt. 
Joe, from whom Joe's pond and Joe's brook, derived 

Was Vt. ever tliickly inhabited liy Indiniip? What were thoroughfares'? What 
Imlians refilled on ihe Conner tinitl What was the place called! — the mearjiaj 
of the nduiea \ What is taid ol Capf. Joe I 



108 



POLITICAL QEOORAPHT. 



their name, and who died at Newbury, in 1819, aged 
about 80 years, was the last of his tribe, who resided in 
Vermont. 

The territory about lake Champlain, was claimed by 
several tribes, and was not only a favorite hunting 
ground, but also the scene of many of their bloody bat- 
tles. Previous to the conquest of Canada by the 
British, the St. Francis Indians, had a village of 50 huts 
with a church and Jesuit Missionary, at Swanton falls, 
in Franklin county. The Iroquois Indians claimed the 
southern part of the lake. 

2. Lidian Relics. These consist of pots, or urns, mor- 
tars and pestles, axes, chissels, gouges, spear and arrow 
points, and other implements, the use of which is not 
known. Arrow and spear points are very common, es- 
pecially in the neighborhood of lake Champlain, and on 
the islands in the lake. The following figures exhibit 
the forms of some of these relics. 

(25) 
Lrn. Fig. 25. is the figure of 
an urn, found in Colchester, 
in 1825. It was found in the 
earth, covered by a stone, 
over which a large tree had 
grown. It is a very good 
specimen of unglazed pot- 
tery, and will hold about one 
gallon. 



Axe. Fig. 26. The axes 
vary from half a pound to 
five or six pounds. 




Of what do the relics consist? What is saifi of the urn 1 Ofoxce; 



THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 



109 




(27) 
Gouge. Fig. 27. 
The gouges are 
sometimes grooved 
through the whole 
length, which is 
generally from eight to twelve inches. 

(28) 
Arrow 'points. Fig. 
28. The arrow pt's. 
are from one to five 
inches long. 



Spear points. Fig. 29. 
The spear points are from 
four to eight inches long, 
and two or three inches 
wide. The arrow and spear 
points are usually] asper^ or 
brown quartz. 



Chissel. Fig. 30. The chis- 
sels vary much in size and 
form, but are usually from six 
to tvfelve inches in length. 




Fig. 31 was found 
in Burlington, is ten 
inches long, neatly 
carved out of a gray 
stone, but its use is 
not known. 




What is said of gouses .'—arrow points 



-spear points?— chisfcis 



110 POLTTICAL GEOGRAPHY, 



3. Indianhiero^hjpliics. The on- 
ly things of this kind, which 
have attracted any notice, are 




^/^-^^ "V^tJ^ 



upon a rock at the side of a 

cove near file mouth of West 

river in Brattlcborough. and 

are little more than rude /^ 

scratches representing birds ^ .. '.^ ^ 

and some other animals.— /,^'"^'-^^'\ 

Whether these figures are t^ x^, 



real hieroglyphics, or were 
made by the rude natives merely for amusement, while 
fishing, or watching for water fowl at this place, is un- 
known. To give the reader an idea of what these fig- 
ures are, we have procured a copy of one which evi- 
dently represents a fish hawk bearing off his prey, as 
will be [seen by the cut, Fig. 32. 

4. Population. The first complete census of Vermont, 
was made in 1791. when the population was found to bo 
85.539. The population as ascertained at that, and the 
subsequent enumerations, was as follows ; 

1791—85,539. ' 1820—235,749. 

1800—154,465. 1830—280,715. 

1810—217^204. 1840—291,948. 

Of the 291,948, persons in Vermont, in 1840; 146,742 

were males, and 145,206, were females. These numbers 

include 730 colored persons, 361 of whom were males, 

and 366 females. 

There were at that time, 137 persons who wore deaf 
and dumb, 103 who were blind, and 402, who were in- 
sane, or idiots. 

The number of pensioners for revolutionary, or mili- 
tary service, was 1320.] 

The number of persons employed in agriculture, was 

When was the first complete census of Vt. ? — What the population?— Wliat in 
18401— How many were males ?— Iemales7 — colored ? — How many deal>n(l (Unnb? 
—blind '—insane 'f— pensioner? ?— employed in agriculture ?— commerce .= — inan* 



. 



THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. Ill 



73,150, in commerce 1303, in manufactures and trades, 
13,174, and in the learned iDrofessions 1563. 

The number of white persons above 20 years of age 
who could not read and write, was 2270, or one to 124, 
and these were nearly all foreigners. 

The population of the state by counties has been giv- 
en in the table on page 89. The population by towns, 
will be found in part third. 

5. Agriculture. Agriculture is the principal employ- 
ment of the people of Vermont. While suitable num- 
bers are devoted to the various trades andpiofessions, 
the great mass of the population is engaged in culti- 
vating the earth, and it is pleasing to notice the gradu- 
al improvement, which Las been going on in agricul- 
ture, both as an art and science ; and more especially 
the advance wiiich it has made, within a few years past, 
in the public estimation. 

The soil of Vermont, generally, is of an excellent 
quality and seldom ftiils richly to repay the labors of 
the husbandman. The uneven tracts, which cannot 
conveniently be ploughed, furnish the best of pastu- 
rage for cattle and sheep. The most important crops 
which are taken from the soil are hay, Indian corn, po- 
tatoes and oats. Considerable quantities of wheat are 
raised, but not enough to prevent the introduction of 
vr'e stern jQour. 

The most important staple for market is wool. Beef, 
pork, butter, cheese, &c., are furnished in considerable- 
quantities. 

The following is an abstract of the agricultural pro- 
ductions in. 1840. 

Wheat, bush. 49D.S00'Cocoons, lbs. 4.280 

Rye do 230!993JWax,lbs. 4.660 

Corn do l,119,G78;Product Dairy $2,003,737 

Oats do 2,222,584|do Orchard 213,94-1 

factiires?— unable to read .'—What i.? said of tliem .'—What is the chief oinploy- 
ment ?— What improvement has taken placo?—Wliat i said of tlie soil.'— What 
tha most imronnnt crops i—oiporig ?— What act was passed in L:>i3]— What baa 



112 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Buckwheat do 228.416'clo Garden 16.276 

Barley do 54.781 do Nurseries, etc. 5,600 

Potatoes do 3,869;751 Horses 62.402 

Hay, tons, 869,739 Neat Cattle 384.341 

Hops, lbs. 48,137 Sheep 1.681,819 

Tobacco, lbs. '585 Swine 203,800 

Flax, lbs. 59,000 Poultry, value $131,578 

V/ine, gallons 94 Lumber $346,939 

Wool, lbs. 3.699,235 Other prod, forest 2,500 

In 1843 an act was passed to promote the improve- 
ment of agriculture, manufactures and the arts ; and 
to encourage the formation of county societies for these 
objects, the societies were authorized to draw certain 
sums from the state treasury, to be distributed in pre- 
miums, provided the society should raise by subscrip- 
tion, an equal sum for that object. In accordance with 
this enactment societies have been formed in most of 
the counties and annual fairs are held, which evince 
considerable zeal and success in the good cause in 
which the societies are engaged. 

6. Manufactures. The manufactures carried on in Ver- 
mont were, for many years, such only as the immedi- 
ate wants of the people rendered indispensable, and in 
general each family were their own manufacturers. 
With scarcely any tools but an axe, the first settlers 
entered the forests, cleared off the timber from a small 
piece of ground, cut down trees to a suitable length 
and by the help of a few neighbors, reared their log 
houses and covered them with bark. These afforded 
shelters for their families, and by persevering indus- 
try, they were soon enabled to raise a little flax and 
wool, which were spun and wove and colored and made 
into clothing by the females for home and Sunday 
wear; and we have no doubt that, at that period, the 
swains in their tow, or checked woolen shirts and ker- 
sey frocks andtrowsers, and the girls in their tow and 

heendoneir. accordance with it.-' — What is s.iid of m.inufiicturep .' — With what 
tlie first ssillcrs eater iha forcata 7— What did they do ?— What is said of thwir clfttk- 



THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 113 



happy, yea, and perhaps as proud too, as the moderns 
in their broadcloths, and silks, and muslins. The only 
trades which were then deemed indispensable, were 
those of the blacksmith and the shoemaker, and these 
were, for the most part, carried on by persons wlio labor- 
ed a portion of their time upon their farms. 

As the condition of the people improved, they, by de- 
grees, extended their desires beyond the mere neces- 
saries of life ; first to its conveniences, and then to its 
elegancies. This produced new wants and ; to supply 
these, mechanics more numerous and more skilful were 
required, till at length the cabinet[maker, the tailor, the 
jeweller, the milliner and a host of others came to be 
regarded as indispensable. 

In addition to the various articles and fabrics for do- 
mestic use, Vermont possesses facilities for manufac- 
tories on an extensive scale. The water power is un- 
limited, wood for fuel is abundant, and there is no lack 
of the raw materials for manufactures of wool, iron, 
wood and stone ; and since the difficulties of transpor- 
tation, which have hitherto been the chief obstacles in 
the w^ay of the establishment of manufactories is about 
being overcome by the. construction of rail roads, we 
may hope soon to see our water power more generally 
employed, and our energies and resources more fully 
developed. 

By the returns of the census of 1S40, there were at 
that time in the state 



26 Furnaces 


7 Cotton Factories 


14 Forges 


271 Tanneries 


17 Paper Mills 


2 Glass Factories 


26 Woolen Factories 


319 Gristmill 


J39 Fulling Mills 


1081 Saw Mills 



inp "i What trades were indespensable ?— In wliat manner was the number increas- 
ed?— What facilitiss for manufacturing has Vt. 7— What raw materials? What 
ebstacle is being overcome ?— How many furnaces in ISIO ? A:c. 

10* 



114 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

The amount of maple sugar made in 18-10 is stated at 
4.647.934 pounds. 

The articles manufactured in Vermont are mostly- 
used here, with the exception of paper and woollen 
cloths. 

7. Commerce. Commerce is the business of buying 
and selling, or the exchange of commodities. The per- 
sons by whom this business is transacted are called 
merchants, or traders. 

Vermont has little foreign commerce. Her trade is 
nearly all domestic, or internal. It is domestic when 
carried on with the sister States, and internal when 
carried on between citizens of our own state. 

All trade is carried on either by barter or sale : barter 
consists in giving or exchanging one article for an- 
other. It formerly prevailed very generally in this 
state, much more so than at present. 

Sale is the exchange of the article sold for a £um of 
money, called the price. 

Money is either specie, or paper money. 

Specie is coin composed of metal, usually gold or 
silver, which is stamped, and has a legal value. The 
place where coin is stamped is called a mint. 

Paper money consists of bank bills, which are promi- 
sory notes issued by a bank.entitling the holders to the 
sum in specie, which is stated on the face of the note, 
whenever demanded at the bank. 

On account of the inland situation of Vermont, and 
the various modes of transportation, it is impossible to 
form any correct estimation of the amount of trade. 
The commercial business of the State is, however, con- 
siderable, and is annually increasing. A large amount 
of dry goods and groceries is brought into the state 
and disposed of among the inhabitants ; and for seve- 
ral years past Vermont has, to a veiy great extent, de- 

IIow much sugar was madel — What is tlone with (he articles made? What 
is coaunerce 1 What is said of the commerce of Vt. ? When domestic J 
— wUea iuteiaaU ilow is trad« carried ou.' What is said gf burier? What is 



THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 115 

pendccl -upon the state of New i^ork and the western 
•states for her bread stuffs. 

The productions for market consist of live cattle, 
horses, hogs, sheej?, wool, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, 
butter, cheese, iron, marble, paper, copperas, &c. Wheat 
was formerly furnislied, but for some years past a suffi- 
cient quantity has not been raised for home consump- 
tion. When the country w^s new and the first settlers 
were clearing their lands, pot and pearl ashes were the 
staple articles for market. Lumbering also engaged 
the attention of many in the vicinity of the navigable 
waters. Connecticut river furnished an outlet for the 
lumber in the eastern part of the State, while that in 
the western part found its way to Quebec through lake 
Champlain, the Richelieu and St. Lawrence, previous 
to the construction of the Champlain and Hudson canal^ 
since which much has gone through that canal to New 
York. But this branch of business has been pursued 
too eagerly for the good of the State. Pine of a good 
quality has become scarce for domestic purposes. For 
about sixteen years past wool has constituted the prin- 
pal article for market ; and is so at present, although a 
large amount of the other articles above named contin- 
ue to be sent away. 

Vermont being an inland state its navigation is ne- 
cessarily limited. Indeed it is nearly confined to lake 
Champlain. A portion of the merchandise and the pro- 
ductions of the eastern parts of the state, it is true, are 
transported in boats upon Connecticut river, but far 
the greater portion of the business of those parts has 
been over-land to Boston, and will continue to be so, 
by means of the rail roads now finished. The mercan- 
tile connexions on the west side of the mountains have 
been mostly with New York, and most of the business 
of the north-western section of the state has been 

■ale "? Money ?— Specie 1— Paper Money ? Amount of trade ? What the ex- 
ports? Staple articles'? Outlets for lumber'? What ia said of lumber?— of 
wood .'—of navi^'aiion i — merciuitilc coiiuexions?— .etlectof rail roads?- r^liipping 



116 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

transacted through lake Champlain, the northern canal 
and Hudson river. But the completion of the railroads 
leading to Boston, will probably divert a portion of it 
in that direction. 

The navigation on lake ChamplaiUj is principally by 
steamboats, sloops and canal boats. The first steam- 
boat on the lake was completed in 1809. and was called 
the Vermont. The whole number, which has been built, 
is twenty. 

There are now four splendid boats, which form a day 
and night line, both ways, thro' the length of the lake. 

It is remarkable that in the forty years of steam navi- 
gation upon this lake, only one serious accident has 
occurred, and that was the burning of the steamboat, 
Phoenia:, on the fifth of September, 1819, by which six 
or seven persons lost their lives. 

For the safety of the navigation of the lake, a light 
house was built upon Juniper Island in this state, in 
1826, and since that period two others have been erect- 
ed on the New York side, one at Cumberland Head, 
and the other at Split Rock. A breakwater has been 
erected at Burlington, for the protection of the shipping 
at the wharves. The light houses and breakwater, 
were erected at the expense of the United States gov- 
ernment. 

8. Bail Roads. There are at present three principal 
rail roads which have been located, and, in part, con- 
structed in this state. 

The Central Rail Road extends from Burlington to 
Windsor, a distance of 117, miles, and there connects 
with a road through Fitchburgh to Boston. The dis- 
tance from Burlington to Boston, through this line is 
254 miles. At Hartford, 103 mils from Burlington, this 
line connects with the road to Boston, through Concord 



on lake Champlain ? When was the first steamboat completed ? What called ? 
Whatihe whole number? What lines mentioned ? What is remarkable ? What 
the accident? What litrht houses? — breawaterl — at whose expense ? What the 
extent of the Central Rail Road 1 Through what roads doet it communicate with 



THE PEOPLE AND THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 117 



and Lowell. The whole distance from Burlington to 
Boston this way is 247 miles. This road was opened 
from Hartford to Bethel, and the first cars commenced 
running in this state, June 26, 1848. It is now, (Octo- 
ber 20, 1848.) finished from Hartford to Northfield, and 
the cars run regularly from the latter place to Boston, 
by way of Concord. 

The Rutland and Burlington Rail Road, called 
also the Southern Rail Road,extends from Burlington to 
Bellows Falls, through Rutland, a distance of one hun- 
dred and eighteen miles, and there connects with the 
road through Fitchburgh to Boston. The distance from 
Burlington to Boston through this line is two hundred 
and thirty-one miles. The grading of this line is 
m.ostly finished, and it will probably be completed in 
readiness for the cars in the course of the year 1849. 

The Passumpsic Rail Road, connects with the Cen- 
tral atHartford, and extends north through Newbury 
towards Derby. It is located as far as Wells riyer,and 
finished, and the cars upon it, as far as Bradford. 

Several other rail roads have been granted within 
the state, which will probably be constructed in the 
course of a few years. 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

A few months attendance at primary schools, as they 
existed in New England, before the revolution, was the 
whole amount of education, which the early settlers of 
Vermont.generally, enjoyed. But these advantages had 
been so w^ell improved that nearly all of them were 

Boston 1 What the distance each way ? When and where did the cars first run in 
Vermunt ? How far finished in Oct. i>Mc; ? What the extent of the .southern Rail 
lloadf What its condition? What is said of the Passumpsic llail Road? Wha: 
is said of the educatioa of the first Ee tilers of Vt.7 



118 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

able jto read, write and keep accounts. They were in 
general, men of strong minds; and, clearly perceiving 
the advantages, which education confers, they early di- 
rected th*eir attention to the establishment of schools 
and seminaries of learning. 

1. Prima?]/ Schooh. The first general law on the sub- 
ject of schools was passed en the 22d of October 1782. 
This law provided for the division of the towns in this 
state into convenient school districts, and for the ap- 
pointment of trustees in each town for the general su- 
perintendence of the schools. 

It also provided for the election of a prudential corn- 
^nitteebythe inhabitants of each district. This com- 
mittee was authorized to raise the money required to 
build, and keep in repair, a school house, and support 
a school, by a tax on the people of the district, one half 
of it to be assessed on the grand list, and the other 
half, either on tlie list, or on the polls of the scholars., 
as should be ordered by a vote of the district. 

By the same act the judges of the county court.^ 
were authorized to appoint trusfees of a county gram- 
mar school, in each of their respective counties ; and, 
with the assistance of the justices of the peace, they 
were authorized to assess a tax on the county for the 
purpose of erecting a suitable building for a county 
school house. 

That" part of the above provision, which relates to 
county schools, seems never to have been carried into 
effect, but so much of it as relates to town schools was 
generally introduced, and now forms the basis of our 
common school system. 

, Our present statutes require that all the organized 
towns in the state shall be divided into school districts 
of convenient size, and that a school be maintained du- 
ring a portion of the year in each ; and the select men 

When was the fa-.?t .ireiieral school lav/ pasjifd"? What were the provisionfi of 
this law? How could' inoiiey be raised? VVlia* provision for country schools? 
Was lliis carried into eflect ? ' What do our present siatutiiS re<imre .' 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 119 

of each town are required annually to assess a tax of 
three cents on a dollar of the grand list of the town for 
the support of schools in the same. 

One fourth of the money raised by the tax above 
mentioned, together with one fourth of the avails of 
the deposit money, is required to be divided equally, on 
the 1st. of March, among the school districts, without 
regard to the number of children in each. The remain- 
ing three-fourths is to be divided among the districts, 
in proportion to the number of children they contain 
between the ages of four and eighteen years ; provi- 
ded that no district shall be entitled to share in such 
money, which has not. during the.preceding year, kept a 
school at least two months, with other moneys than 
those drawn from the town ti'easury, nor unless the 
moneys so drawn, shall have been faithfully expended. 
The several school districts have the powers of a cor- 
poration, and are authorized to raise money within the 
same, for the support of schools, either upon the grand 
list, or upon the polls of tlie scholars. 

The present provisions for the superintendence and 
improvement of primary schools were made by an act 
of the legislature, passed Novembers, 1S15. This act 
ju'ovides — 

1st. Tliat there shall be one or more superintendents 
of common schools, not exceeding three, in each town, 
to be appointed by the freemen thereof at their March 
meeting, annually. 

2d. There shall be a county su])erintendent in each 
county, appointed by the judges of the county courts 
in the several counties, at the sessions of said courts 
next preceding the first day of October of each 
year. 

3rd. That there shall be a state superintendent of 



What tax is assessed.' How distributcfll What the condition ? When wei 
the present provisions lor superinKMidence of schools made \ VVliai the first 1- 
<tlie second?— the third? How appointed respectively ? 



120 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



common schools, who shall be annually appointed by 
the joint assembly. 

The duty of town superintendents is to examine 
t:5achers for their respective tow^ns, to give certificates 
to those whom they shall find qualified to teach, to vis- 
it all the common schools in their respective towns 
once at least every year, and exercise a general super- 
vision over them. 

The duty of the county superintendents is to examine 
teachers for their respective counties, to visit all the 
towns in the county once or more every year, to call 
conventions of teachers, deliver lectures, and advise 
and council with town superintendents, prudential,com- 
mittees and the teachers of schools, in regard to books, 
courses of instruction and government of the schools. 

The county superintendents arc required annually, on 
tic first of September, to make reports to the state sl> 
pcrintendent relative to the government, course of in- 
struction, books, studies, discipline and conduct of the 
schools in their respective counties. 

It is made the duty of the state superintendent to 
prepare and submit to the general assembly at the 
opening of each annual session thereof, a report con- 
taining a statement of the general condition of the 
schools of the state, together with sucli other matters 
and suggestions, as he may think will promote the 
general cause of public education. 

The state superintendent receives an annual salary 
of $200. The county superintendents are entitled to 
$2 per day for their services; and the town superinten- 
dents $1 per day. 

Contracts between a teacher and a prudential com- 
mittee for teaching a school, are null and void, unless 
the teacher obtain a certificate of qualifications before 
commencing the school. 



What the duty of town pupprintendents?— Of county do. ? What the duly of thfe 
riaie superintendent.'' Wh;it pay do the .«upeiiutendeiits receive 1 What issaiJ of 

t^n'ructs between teacher and coipmittecs ; 



PUnLfC rNSTRUCTION. 121 

The deposit money, mentioned in a preceding para- 
graph, was a portion of the avails of the public lands 
of the United States, which was distributed to the sev- 
eral states by act of congress in 1837. The amount 
distributed was $28,101,645, and the share which fell to 
Vermont was $GG9,0S7. This sum was distributed by act 
of the legislature, among the towns of the state in pro- 
portion to their population, and then loaned on good 
security; and the annual interest applied for the sup- 
port of schools as already stated. The deposit mon- 
ey is regarded as a loan from the general government 
to the states. 

In the school districts, generally, in this state, a 
male teacher is employed three or four months in the 
winter, and a female teacher about six months in the 
summer. The average wages for male teachers are 
about $12,50 per month, and to female teachers, about 
§5. per month. 

The number of school districts in Vermont, as ap- 
pears from the report of the state superintendent, is 
2616, and the number of children between 4 and 18 years 
of age, about 100,000, This would give an average of 
about 37 scholars to a district, 

2. Academies. About sixty county grammar schoolp, 
academies or high schools, have been incorporated in 
this state by special act of the legislature, since the or- 
ganization of the government j but only a small part 
of these are now in existence. Our academies being 
generally without permanent funds, their very exist- 
ence is dependent upon the popularity of teachers. 

But under all our disadvantages we have at all times 
many flourishing academies and high scl)ools in various 
parts of the state. In these are taught the higher bran- 
ches of English studies, the mathematics and the ru- 

Explain what is meant by depopit money? V^^hnt the lencrth of KchoolR?— ave- 
rage wages V- nnnibtr oJ disirictf? .'—children '<— average ? What is said v{ QCade- 
siiiiies?- vvha( U-nu'th in thee ?— wluu have sr^cvcral orthtia ? 

Jl 



122 



POLITICAL CEOGUAPHy, 



diments of tlie Latin and Greek languages. Students 
may here prepare for mercantile or orther business, or 
to become teachers of primary scImdoIs ; or for admis- 
sion into college, or the university. 

Several of the o.cademies in tlie north eastern pan 
of the state, derive some aid from the avails of gram- 
mar school lands in the counties in wliich they are 
situated. 




"T?. Vnircr sit y of Vermont. In the townships chnrter.'fl by 
the government of Vermont, one right of land w;is set 
apart for the endowment and sujiportof astateuniver 
sity. Tliese lands amounted in the wliole to about 29,- 
000 acres, and were scattered through about 120 town- 
ships and gores, mostly in the northern and central 
parts of the state. 

On the 3d of November, 1791, an act was passed by 
the legislature, incor])orating the university of Ver- 
mont, and locating it at Burlington. The first univer- 
sity edifice was erected in ISOl, and cost about $35,000, 
the greater part of wiiich was contributed in Burling- 



What was pet .^pan for th« support of a nnivrrsity ?— How many acres?— 
how situalein- Wlicn was the university chaitcnnl r~\Vhen lornieil ?— When 
was iho first. pJifirp erootod ?- -(Irsrrilu' it r— What became of it? — Who was iho 
first pr»'Pitleni ?— Whfn \hf firpr rommrnremcni ? — How was t)ic prei^ent edifire 

rj-.^r!.- P-\\'bo l.n.l ih.- ronnr moo.- • -• ^\•|,,,I (\,^ rnii ki.ow o| T,:i ravfiie %- 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 123 

ton and vicinity. It was 160 feet long, 75 deep in the 
centre and 45 on the wings, and four stories high. Thia 
fine building, a figure of wliich stands at the head of 
this article, was accidentally consumed by fire on the 
27tli of May, 1824. 

The first president of the University was the Rev. 
Daniel C. Sanders, and the first commencement was 
held in 1804. 

After the destruction of the first edifice, the present 
principal university building was erected in three 
parts and afterwards united into one. The corner stone 
of the first wing was laid by Gen. La Fayette, on the 
29th of June, 1825. The whole building is 260 feet long, 
and three stories high. 

The funds of the university are in lands, and amount 
to more than 40.000 acres. 

The University library consists of about 8000 vol- 
umes, and is the most valuable library in the state. 

The number of under graduates, has for several 
years past, averaged about 100. The faculty consists 
or a president and six professors. 

The commencement is on the first Wednesday in 
August annually. 

4. Middlchuvy College. Middlebury College was incor- 
porated November 1st, 1800, and the Rev. Jeremiah 
Atwater, was constituted president by the act of the in- 
corporation. A county grammar school had been es- 
tablished at Middlebury, in 1797, a spacious building 
erected in 1798, and a school commenced, of which the 
Rev. Mr. Atwater, was princi]ml, at the time of the in- 
corporation of the college. The college was, therefore 
immediately organized in the place of the grammar 
school, and seven students admitted to the collegiate 
course. 

Wliat is paiil of Imiclg ? — Iil)rary ?— .«liidents ? — faculty ? — commenccmrni ? — When 
was Middlebury college incorporated ?~Who was fi'rtt jiresidcnt ? — When organ- 
izciU— Why po ponn organized ?— When the first commencement?— IIow ninny 
graduates in 1608] — VVliat is said of the buildingsl— of its endowraent?— librar/ 1 



124 IV^LrtiOAL GEOGRAPHY. 

The first commencement was held in 1802, when one 
student received the degree of bachelor of arts. But 
the number of students increased with great rapidity, 
and, in 1808, the graduating class numbered 23. 

The present college buildings consist of three spa- 
cious edifices, one of wood, and two of stone. The latter 
are pleasantly situated on an eminence, which overlooks 
the village, and the adjacent country. 

This college has recieved no endowments from tho 
state, biit has been sustained by private bounty, and tho 
avails from tuition; It has received several large do- 
nations in lands ahd money. 

Its library consists of about 3000 volumes, and its 
apparatus and laboratory are respectable. 

The faculty consits of the president, four professors 
and one or two tutors. 

The commencement is on the fourth Wednosday in 
July, annually. 

5. Norwich University. In 1820 an institution was estab- 
lished at Norwich, in this state under the name of the 
American Literary Scientijic and Military Academy^ and a 
commodious building was erected for its accommoda- 
tion. This institution, was under the superintendence 
of Capt. Alden Partridge, and continued for several 
years in a very flourishing condition, having pupils or 
cadets, from nearly all tlie states in the Union. 

On the 6th of November, 1831, after a partial suspen- 
sion of the original institution for sonietime, an act 
was passed incorporating it by the name of the Nor- 
uich University, and Capt. Partridge became its first 
president. 

The plan of this university is quite unlike most of our 
collegiate institutions. There is no definite time in 
which a regular course of studies is to be completed, 
and, consequently there is no general course, the sta- 

— coniniencemtinti — In what manner did Norwich university originate ?— When 
incorporated ? — Who was lirst president ?— Whet is said of its plan ?— When or- 
(iauized?— Whon tho first cunimenceniont?— \Vh.^n were medical lecturus lirst 
dolirorcd at Castleton 7-When was the school chartur'd7-What wus done in l~Mi 7 
axddc^^ood ooaronred r— Who wqj tho firs* pircsideui 7— cUiof famjd>-;i ?— Vr kt* * 



PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 125 

ges of which are indicated by years. Each student is 
permitted to advance in his studies as rapidly as he is 
able, due regard being had to a thorough understanding 
of the same, and, when he has completed the full course 
marked out by the university, he is admitted to an ex- 
amination, and to the honors of the institution, if found 
qualified, Mathout regard to tJie time he has been pur- 
suing his studies. 

The university was organized under its charter in 
May 1835, and held its first commencement in 1838. 

6. Cast! eton Medical College. Medical lectures were first 
delivered at Castleton in the spring of 1818. On the 
29th of October following, a school was chartered here 
by the name of the Castlelon Medical Academy. Shortly 
afterwards a medical faculty was organized, and with 
two exceptions, regular courses of Medical Lectures, 
have been delivered annually or semi-annually, ever 
since. 

On the 22d of October 1841, tlie charter of the insti- 
tution was amended, and its name altered by act of the 
legislature, to that of Castleton Medical College. The 
president and faculty have authority to confer medical 
degrees. 

Dr. Selah Gridley was the first president of the in- 
stitution, and he and Dr. Theodore Woodward were the 
Chief founders of it. 

7, Vermont Mediccd College.. This institution is located 
at Woodstock, and owes its origin to the labors and ef- 
forts of Dr. Joseph A. Gallup. Medical lectures were 
commenced here in 1827, and the institution was called 
{he Clinical School of Medicine. 

In 1835 an act of incorporation was obtained and the 
school took the name of Verriiont Medical College. By 
this act it was placed under the care of a board of trus- 
tees, and power v/as given to confer medical degrees. 

The first president under the charter wr,s Dr. Henry 
H. Childs. 

the Vt Medical Collf^zs ?— Who itr- fruiirip/ ?— n'haf was u fir:f cai-'ea .'— Whe n 
) ncorrfrdteri J— thr degrees conferred .'—Who the firtt president 7 



^2Q POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

S. Printing. The first printing office in this state was 
established at Westminster, in the summer of 1778, by 
J. P. Spooner, and T. Green. 

The first Newspaper, was commenced at Westmins- 
ter, in February, 1781, by Messrs. Spooner and Green. 
It was called the Vermont Gazette, or Green Mountain 
Post Boy, and its motto, which it is hoped will always 
truly characterize our state, was as follows : 

" Pliant as reeds where streams of freodom glide ; 
Firm as the hills to stem oppression's tide." 

This paper was published weekly, on a sheet the size 
af our common writing paper, and was continued near- 
ly two years. 

The second Newspaper was commenced at Benning- 
ton, on the fifth of June 1783, by Anthony Haswell and 
David Russell. It v^as called the Vermont Gazette, or 
Freeman^s Dejwsitory, and has continued, with some 
change, in the name, down to the present time. 

The third paper was the Vermont Journal, con'^menced 
at Windsor, on the seventh of August, 1783. 

9. Religion. Christianity is clearly recognized in the 
constitution of Vermont, and in the subsequent acts of 
the Legislature, as the religion of the state and the 
Bible is recognized as embracing the principles and 
doctrines af Christianity, or the revealed v/ill of God.. 
Among the first transactions of the Legislature of the 
state, we find resolutions and laws relating to the due 
observance of the Lord's day as the Christian Sabbath. 

But while Christianity is plainly admitted to be the 
religion of the state, and while the moral precepts of 
the Bible, are the acknowledged basis of legislative 
enactments, and while some kind of religious worship, 
regulated b-y the word of God, is enjoined upon all, 
government has wisely left the particular modes of 

When was the first printing ofRce eatablished ?— the firPt newspaper printed? 
— what its name'? — motio?— how long rout inued?— its size ?— When and where 
ttio ficcond ? — the third!— What is the reliu'ion of ilie state 7— How does this njj- 
vieai ]— What is said ol modes of worship aud rej^'ulation of chuichcd 1— Whut 



PUnLIC INSTRUCTION. 127 

worship, and the internal regulation of churches to the 
judgment and consciences of individuals, provided 
they do not interfere with the right of others, or cor- 
rupt the morals and good order of society. 

The principal religious denominations in the state, 
are congregationalists, methodists, baptists, episcopa- 
lians, freewill baptists, christians, universalists, roman 
catholics and unitarians. 

10. Congregationalists. The Congregational church in 
Bennington, was the first church organization within 
the limits of Vermont, and the congregational church 
at New^bury was the second. The former was organ- 
ized on the third of December 1762, and the latter in the 
fall of 1764. The whole number of congregational 
churches, which had been organized at the commence- 
ment of the revolution, was thirteen. 

The congregational churches in the different sections 
of the state, are formed into associations, consociations 
and conferences. 

The associations consist of ministers, who associate, 
adopt a constitution and by-laws, and hold meeting8 
for mutual improvement. 

The consociations consist of a pastor and one delegate, 
or two delegates where there is no pastor, from each 
church within their limits, who meet annually to hear 
reports on the state of religion and devise measures to 
promote the interests of the churches. 

The conferences are organizations by counties in those 
parts of the state, in which consociations have not 
been formed, and their business and object are nearly 
the same as of the consociations. 

Once each year there is a convention of delegates 
from the several associations, consociations and con- 
are the principal denominations ? — What was the first church formed in Vt. 1 — 
Bocond? — How many congregational churches before the revolution? — Whator- 
ganizatiou3 in the state 7 — What are the associations ?—tiie consociations 1 — iho 
conltjreucga ]— WU4t convcuiiou ?— How many churchea '/— aunistcitj ?— What 



128 POLITICAL GEOURAPHV. 

ferences, to adopt measures to promote the interests 
of religion and of the denomination. 

There are in the state two hundred congregational 
churches, nearly two hundred ministers, and about 
twenty-three thousand communicants. TJie Vermont 
Chronicle, is the organ of this denomination in the 
state. 

11. Methodises. The first methodist church in Vermont, 
was organized at Vershire in 1796. In the course of a 
year from that time, churches were organized in Barre 
and Barnard. In 1798, churches were formed on the 
w^est side of the mountains. 

The present number of communicants in the metho- 
dist episcopal church in Vermont is about 17000. and 
their local and travelling ministers together number 
about two hundred and fifty. 

This denomination have under their patronage and 
control two flourishing literary institutions, one at 
Newbury, called the Newbury Seminary, and the other at 
Poultney, called the Troy Conference Academy. 

A portion of the methodist in this state, disapprove 
of the government of the methodist episcopal church, 
and have separated from it, under the name of pro- 
testant methodists, or Wesleyans. 

12. Baptists. The first Baptist church in Vermont, was 
organized in Shaftsbury in 1768, and in 1790 there were 
thirty-five organized churches and sixteen hundred 
communicants. 

The Baptist churches in the different sections of the 
state, are organized into associations, of which there 
are nine. In 1823 a general convention was planned 
and organized in aid of domestic and foreign mis- 
sions. 



TTieriodical .'—When and where was the first methodist church organized in Vt. •— 
What others followed? — What number of communicants in Vt. — How many min- 
isters ?— V^^hat literary iastituuons 7— What separations have (aken place ?-When 
?.nd where was the first baptist church formed ?— How many in 1790 ?— Plow md- 



rUlJLIG INeTRUCTIOPC. 1^ 

The number of baptist churches in Vermont, is about 
one hundred and forty, and the number of communi- 
cants about 12.000. They have several seminaries 
vrhich are principally under their patronage and con- 
trol ; among which are the Vermont Literary and Sci- 
entific Institution at Brandon, the Black river Academy 
at Ludlow, the Leland School at Townshend and the 
Derby Institute at Derby. 

13. Episcopalians.The first protestant episcopal church- 
es in Vermont, were organized at Arlington and Man- 
chester before the revolution. The first church edi- 
fice was built at Arlington, in 1786. The first episcopal 
convention vfas held in 1790, when Vermont became 
organized as a diocese. 

From 1811 to 1832, this diocese constituted a part of 
what was called the eastern diocese, but in 1S32 it with- 
drew^ from that connexion and elected a bishop of its 
own. 

The convention, which consists of the bishop,' the 
parochial clergy and delegates from the several 
churches, meets annually to make regulations and adopt 
measures for the good of the church. 

The number of episcopal churches in the diocese is 
thirty-one, the number of ministers twenty-one, and the 
number of communicants about fifteen hundred. 
- 14. Freewill Baptists. The first freewill baptist church 
was organized in Strafford, in 1794. 

The churches are formed into several associations. 
Delegates from the associated churches meet once in 
three months, forming a Ciuarterly Meeting, at which re- 
ports are made respecting the condition of the several 
churches. Delegates from the several quarterly meet- 

ny associaiions? — When was their .eeneral convention orffanized? — IIow many 
haptists churches'? — communicants? — What Beminaries" kave thev ? — What 
IS said of the first episcojiai churches Id Vt.?— the first church edifice"?— Ihc first 
episcopal convention ] — i{o\v lows was Vt. a part ol" the eastern diocese ? — When 
elect a bishop ?— Of what does the convcuiion consist? Wliat the number of 
churches ? — ministers ?— coHiinmiicants? — What is said oftlio christiaufj 7— When 
was llio freo-will baptist chnrch formed m Vt.— How arc ti»o churchoa aseociatedf 



V.^'J rOM7'ICAL GKOORArnV 



ings, meet annually, forming a Yearly Aleeting. There 
is also a General Conference, -which meets once in two 
years. 

The number of free-will baptist churches is about one 
hundred, ministers about seventy and communicants 
about forty-fi\'-e hundred. 

15. Christians. The first church of this order in Ver- 
mont, was formed at Lyndon, in 1801. They are called 
by this general title because tliey reject all those sum- 
maries of Christian faith by which the distinctions of 
the different denominations arc kept up. 

The number of preachers and churches is between 
thirty and forty. 

16. Univevsalists. The universalists hare about ninety 
societies and about forty preachers. There is a gene- 
ral convention of the universalists in Vermont, wdiich 
meets once a year. They also have a weekly paper, 
the Universalist Watchman, devoted to their inter- 
ests. 

17. Roman Catholics. The roman catholics have seve- 
ral large congregations in the state, paiticularly at Bur- I 
lington and St. Albans. Three or four churches have ' 
been built, and they have about the same number of 
ministers. The church members amount to several 
tliousands, who are mostly foreignei^. 

IS. Unitarians. There ai'e five or six. unitarian soci- 
eties in the state and three ministers. 



What meciinirs.'— :he ' niimher of chiirchosi ?— ministers ? — commiinic.-ints 1 
ie said of ilie uuiveralisis ]— What is said of ihc roman cailiolics ?— of tiio uuiia- 
liaus ? 



CnARACTEll OF THE PEOPLE 



The first civilized inhabitants permanently settled 
ill Vermont, were emigrants from the older parts of 
New England, and were almost wholly of English or 
8cotch descent. At the time the settlement was com- 
menced, this whole tract of country was covered by an 
immense unbroken forest, inhabited only by wildbeasts 
and traversed by merciless Indians, some of whom had 
their lodo^es upon the upper parts of Com^ecticut river 
and on the shores and islands of lake Champlain. It 
rould not, therefore, be expected that any but the most 
s5old and enterprising, would x^enture to e:s;pose them- 
selves to the dangers and hardships of establishing 
themselves here ; and as these were, for the most part, 
men of smyll fortunes and large families, the labor re- 
quired in subduing the forests, cultivating the soil and 
providing the means of subsistence, left them little 
leisure for the improvement of their minds, or the re- 
finement of their manners. Hence, as might he expec- 
ted, their characters partook much of the boldness and 
roughness of the mountain and forest scen-ery, in the 
midst of which they resided. Being compelled, on ac- 
count of their exposed situation, to face dangers of 
various kinds, and being accustomed to remove obsta- 
cles and surmount difficulties by their personal exer- 
tions, they soon acquired unlimited confidence in their 
own abilities, and imbibed the -loftiest notions of liber- 
ty and independence. These traits of their general 
character were fully displayed during those vexatious 
;n.nd perplexing controversies in which they were, for 
twenty seven years, constantly involved; and thej^ have 
at all subsequent periods, marked their proceedings iia 
the council and in the field. 

Though the fathers of Vermont were not liberrjlij 



iS2 rOLITfCAL GEOGRAFIi¥ = 



educated, most of them had sliarcd to sonic extent, in 
the benefits of that excellent system of common school 
education, for which New-England h>ts always been 
distinguished; and though not learned, few of them 
■were wholly illiterate. Nearly all were able to road 
and write a fair hand, and were sufficiently acquain- 
ted with the common rules of arithmetic to become 
correct accountants. Few of them were versed in the 
rules of grammar, but they all had sufficient knowledge 
of their mother tongue to be able to make their niccuiing' 
understood, and many there were among them 
who could wield with effect, either the qiUIL or the 
sword, or the cuve, as circumstances required. The 
writings of these men, their first attempts at legislation 
and various other memorials, which have been handed 
down to us, afford conclusive proof of the possession 
of intellect and talent of a high order. But they were 
like the marble from the quarry, roughly hevvm, which 
exhibits the strength and value of the material, but in 
which the delicate veins, and colors, and shades have 
not been brought out and exhibited in all their pleas- 
ing variety by the skill of the polisher. 

Among the inhabitants of this state, an equality in 
[)oint of rank and property, and a sense of mutual de- 
pendence, have very generally prevailed, which have 
been higlily favorable to the exercise of the social vir- 
tues and tlie friendly feelings of the heart. The Ver- 
monters have hitherto been distinguished for their 
kindness among themselves — for their attention and 
liospltality to strangers, and for their benevolence to 
tlie suffering and needy, both at home and abroad ; 
and it is to be lamented, and we fear, without being rem- 
edied, that the growing inequalities and distinctions 
of rank and property, are beginning to throw a chill over 
those gushing feelings of philanthropy, which warmed 
ihe hearts, animated the countenances and blended the 
?,yn"i.pai]ii('3 of tlie eailicr Inhabitants vi our land. 



CHARACTEtt or THE PEOPLE. lS3 



The female sex in Vermont may be recommended as 
patterns of industry and economy. They are nearly 
all habituated to household labors from their childhood, 
and they in general pride themselves much on account 
of their neatness and the management of their domes- 
tic affairs. They are accustomed to regard the family 
as the sphere, which they were particularly designed to 
occupy, and here they usually appear to the best ad- 
vantage. In common with the other sex, they are all 
permitted to share in the benefits of common school 
instruction, but, till recently, very few have had 
An opportunity to extend their education to the po- 
lite accomplishments ; and it is pleasing to observe, that 
parents now are not generally disposed to indulge their 
daughters in the pursuit of the ornamental, to the neg- 
lect of the solid and more useful branches of learn- 
ing. 

It is undoubtedly the duty of all parents, in training 
up and educating their daughters, to make it the pri- 
mary object to fit them, not to shine and gain admira- 
tion at the opera, the assembly, or at public spectacles, 
but for the proper discharge of their duties as daugh- 
ters and wives and mothers ; which alone can mako 
them truly happy. It is not the outward adorning of 
dress and plaiting the hair, nor even the mere cultiva- 
tion of taste and intellect and refinement of manners, 
however proper and desirable these may be, which 
make* woman what she should be j but it is the training 
of them up in the knowledge and practice of their do- 
mestic and relative — their moral and religious du- 
ties. 



12 



STATE OF VERMONT. 



PART THIRD. 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

I. ADDISON COUNTY. 



Incorporated, October 18, 1785 
First settlement, - - - 1731 
Population in 1840, - - 25,087 



Number of towns. 
Square miles, - - 
Pop. to square mile, 



23 

719 

35 



TOWNS. 



Towns. 


Chartered. 


Set- ! 
tied, i 

. 1 


Orga- 
nized 


Pop. in 
1S40. 


Sq. 1 
miles 


Pop. to 
sq. mile. 


Grand 
Li.<t. 


1. Addison, 


Oct 14, 1T6J 173li 


1,232 


~41 


30 


$5,912 


2. Bridport, 


Oct, 10, 17G1 


1768 


1784 


1.480 


41 


36 


5.681 


3. Bristol, 


.Tnne26, 1762 


1 


1789 


1.233 


41 


30 


3,133 


4. Cornwall, 


Nov. 3, 1761 


1774 


1784 


1.164 


32 


36 


3,731 


5. Ferrisburgh, 


June 24, 1762' 1784, 


1766 


1.755 


45 


39 


7,1331 


6. Goshen, 


Feb. 2, 1792 1600 




621 


30 


21 


914 


7. Granville, 


Aug. 2,1781 




545 


45 


12 


954 


8- Hancock, 


.Tuly 31, 1781 1788 


1792 


465 


36 


13 


724 


9. Leicester, 


Oct. 20,17611773 


1766 


603 


19 


32 


1 ,796 


10. Lincoln, 


Nov. 9, 1780 


1790 




770 


36 


21 


1,387 


11. Middlebury. 


Nov. 2,1761 


1773 


1786 


3,162 


43 


73 


8^255 


12. Monkton, 


.Tune 24, 1762 


1774 




1,310 


37 


35 


3,408 


13. NewHaven.; 


Nov. 2,1761 


1769 




1.503 


37 


41 


6,165 


14. Orwell, 


Aug. 8, 1763 


1773 


1787 


1,504 


42 


36 


7,981 


15. Pauton, 


Nov. 3, 1764 


1770 


1784 


670 


16 


42 


2,210 


16. Ripton, 


April 13, 1781 






357 


37 


10 


913 


17. Salisbury, 


Nov. 3, 1761 


1775 




942 


IH 


52 


2.532 


18. Shore ham, 


Oct. 8, 1761 


1766 




1 ,674 


41 


41 


6,781 


19. Starksboro', 


Nov. 9, 1780 


17S8 


1796 


1/263 


29 


44 


1,911 


20. Vergennes, 


Oct. 23, 1783 




1789 


1,017 


2 


508 


4,283 


2L Waltham, 


1796 






263 


9 


31 


1.286 


22. Weybridge, 


Nov. 3,1761 






779 


17 


46 


2.787 


23. ^Vliiting, 


Aug. 6, 1763 


1773 


1785 


659 


20 


33 


1,884 


Avery's Gore 


- - - 


■ 


■ 


78 


5 


•^ - 


- - 


25,087 


719 


35 


' tSl,77( 



8 Addison County incorporated t 
? — population to a square mile 1 — ^A 



....^.. .,„.» .™.^^>.ow,. ^^v.aly incorporated ■?— settled '—popu'litioB ?—to\ms.' 
square mile? ?— population to a square mile •?— Which town first chanered ?— firet 
organized? most populous .'--wealthiest 7 <S.-c. 



When was 



ADDISON COUNTY 




A Lake Champlain. U Otter Creek. 

Situation. Addison County, borders upon lake Cham- 
plain, and lies about mid way between the northei'n 
and southern extremity of the State. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north, by Chitten- 
den county, east by Washington, Orange, and Wind- 
sor counties, south by Rutland county, and west by 
lake Champlain. 

Extent. This county is about 38 miles long, from 
north to south, and 33 miles wide from east to west, 
containing 719 square miles. It extends over the sum- 
mit of the Green Mountains, and embraces the town- 
ship of Granville, lying upon the east side. It is divi- 
ded into 23 townships, one city, and one gore. 

Shire Town. Middlebury. 

Surface. The western part of the county is general- 



How is Addison Co. situated ?— How bounded .'—What its length i— width ?— 
square miles? — number of towns? — its surface 1 — mountains? — height uf the 



136 GEOGRAPHY BY C0UI<TIE9. 

ly level. The central parts consist swells and hills, ex- 
tending north and south. The eastern parts are eleva- 
ted and mountainous. 

Mountains. The Green Mountain range occupies the 
eastern parts of the county, and is here quite elevated, 
but exhibits no prominent and noted summits. In 
passing, even this range, the roads in this county, at- 
tain a greater elevation, than in any other part of the 
state. The following height haVe been deduced from 
barometical observations. 

Road in Lincoln, 2325 feet above lake Champlain. 
« Granville, 2250 " " 

" Hancock, 2020 " " 

" Goshen, 2250 " " 

The principal summits in other parts of the county, 
are Snake mountain, in Addison, 1217 feet above the 
lake, Mount Nebo, in Middlebury, and Buck's mountain 
in Waltham. 

Rivers. The principal stream is Otter creek, which 
runs in a north western direction, thro' the county near 
its centre. The other streams of most consequence, are 
Lewis creek, and Little Otter creek, in the north, part 
Lemonfair river, in the western part, and New Haven 
river, and Middlebury river, which rise in the moun- 
tains, in the eastern part, and fall into Otter creek. 

Falls. There are falls in Otter creek, at Vergenne^, 
Weybridgeand Middlebury, all of which furnish excel- 
lent sites for mills, and are to some extent occupied. 
Most of the other streams abound in falls and rapids, on 
which mills are erected, with the exception of Lemon- 
fair river, which is very sluggish. 

Ponds. The most important collection of water in 
the county, is lake Dunmore in Salisbury, and Leicester. 
This lake is about four miles long. It discharges 
through what is called Leicester river, into Otter creek. 

roaiTs over the mountains 7— What summits mentionein— What the principal 
eirwin]— iho other etreams 7— What falls]— What lake 7— What is said ef iit— 



ADDISON COUNTY. 137 




In this outlet are falls which furnish good mill privileg- 
es. Trout, (Longe) Weighing 25 pounds have been ta- 
ken out of lake Dunmore. 

Spri7igs. The springs. and the water, generally in the 
western part of the county, are impregnated with Ep- 
som salts, (sulphate of magnesia,) particularly in Addi- 
son, and Bridport. Some of the springs are so strong- 
ly impregnated, that in times of low water, a pailfull 
will yield a pound of the salts, and formerly they were 
manufactured to some extent. 

Geology. The rocks which are exposed in the bluffs 
on the lake shore, along the west side of this county, 
are the Isle la MOtte limestone, Trenton limestone, and 
Utica slate. On the west side 
of Panton, these are all seen in ™ 
contact, as exhibited in the 
section. Fig. 35, a being Utica 
slate, b Trenton limestone. 
c Isle la Motte limestone. 

The Isle la Motte limestone, at Shoreham, furnishes 
a very good black marble, which has been wrought. 

The rocks in this county have been very much dis- 
turbed. The uplift which constitutes Snake mountain, 
exhibits in a smallspace,all the fossiliferous rocks found 
in the state ; except perhaps, there may be a few fos- 
sils in some of the Taconic rocks. A section exhibit- 
ing the position and o'rder of the strata in Snake moun- 
tain, has already been given on page 63. 

The red sandrock extends from Snake mountain, 
through Waltham, Ferrisburgh and Monkton, into Chit- 
tenden county. In Monkton, there is a remarkable pli- 
cation of this rock, called the Oven, which forms a very 
great geological curiosity. The south end of the 
plication is exhibited in the cut where the spaces be- 

What is paid of the pprings ? — What is Epsom salts composed of ?— What rocks 
exposed along the lake fehore ?— Where Been in contact 7— What is said of Shore- 
h.\in ?— Snalce mountain ?— of section ?— the red pandrock?— Describe the fold in 
(he strata caUed the oven T— What ruck in the central pari of the county ?— What 



138 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



tween the lines, represent the edges of the strata. 
With the exception of the one marked c c the strata 
are all very siliceous, and some of them almost pure 
quartz. The stratum c cis argillaceous, having a slaty- 
lamination perpendicular to the plane of deposit. The 
upper part of this fold represented by the dark shade in 
the cut, has been removed, form- 
ing a cavity between the more 
siliceous strata which is called the 
oven. The portion represented in 
the cut, is about 39 feet broad at 




the base. 



c c 

The principal rock passing through the central part 
of the county, along the valley of Otter creek, is the 
Stockbridge limestone, of the Taconic system. This 
limestone furnishes excellent marble at Middlebury, 
where it has been extensively quarried and sawed for 
exportation. 

To the eastward of this limestone, quartz rock occurs 
and is succeeded by mica slate or Green mountain 
gneiss, and by the talcose slate formation. 

Dikes. There are a few greenstone, and porphyry 
dikes, in this county, but they are by no means so nu- 
merous as they are further north, in Chittenden coun- 
ty. Two very interesting porphyry dikes are found in 
the bank and bed of Lewis creek,' in Ferrisburgh. One 
is about four rods below the bridge, on the stage road 
from Vergennes to Burlington, and the other obout the 
same distance below the bridge, at the mills, half a mile 
east of the north meetinghouse in Ferrisburgh. The 
latter is 20 feet wide, and is divided diagonally.by a vein 
of calcareous spar eight inches wide. 

Ores. Iron ore is found in Leicester, Salisbury. Rip- 
ton, Bristol, Monkton and perhaps in other towns. It 



next"? — still further east 1 — What is said of Dikes ? — Describe it? — Where is one 
found? — What kind? — Where uiost abundant? — What is said of iron ore.- — What 



ADDISON COUNTY. 139 



is mostly the brown oxide or brown hematite. It has 
been found most abundantly in Monkton and Bristol, 
where considerable quantities have been worked. Iron 
sand is found on the lake shore at Chimney Point in 
Addison. It is an excellent sand for writing, and has 
been used as a coloring ingredient in the mortar in St« 
Steven's church Middlebury. 

Minei^als. Sulphuret of iron, schorl, jasper, gar- 
nets and rock crystal, are found in several places. Cal- 
careous spar is also common, and the waters of seve- 
ral springs deposit calcareous tufa. 

Fossils. The fossils which are characteristic of the 
Isle laMotte limestone, the Trenton limestone and the 
Utica slate are very abundant in those formations at 
many places in this county on and near the lake shore. 

The marine fossil shells of the pleistocene sand and 
clay, are found in many places in the western town- 
ships of this county. There is a locality of these just 
north of the city of Vergennes, on the stage road to 
Burlington. They may be seen in the banks of the 
ditch on the east side of the road in going up the hill 
towards the north from the bridge by the tannery. 

Building Materials. The Isle la Motte limestone in 
the eastern part and the red sandrock and Stockbridge 
limestone in the central part, furnish an abundance and 
sufficient variety of good building stone. Clay is com- 
mon in most parts of the county, but in many places 
contains too much lime to make good bricks. The 
Stockbridge limestone in this county furnishes a very 
excellent marble, particularly at Middlebury, where it 
has been quarried and manufactured for more than 
forty years. 

Soil and Productions. The western and central parts 
of this county have a tolerably even surface and a 
strong rich soil. In those parts clay predominates and 

minerals are fouad ?— What fossils?— What is said of fossil shells?— What build- 
ing nialerials] — What is said of (he clay?— marble .'—.soil ? — of the eastern i>ar is ? 



140 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

in places to such a degree as to make the soil stiff and 
hard to till, but it is generally very producitive. The 
eastern part of the county lies upon the Green Mounr- 
tains, and is less suited to tillage, but furnishes excel- 
lent pasturage. Very fine horses are raised in this 
county. 

The productions according to the returns of 1840 were 
as follows : 

Horses, - 5.425. Rye, bushels, 11,437. 

Cattle, - 39,718. Buckwheat, " 7,219. 

Sheep, - 261,010. Indian Corn, " 95,304. 

Swine, - 14,305. Potatoes, " 440|079. 

Wheat,bushels,31,322. Hay, tons, 111,120. 

Barley " - 225. Maple Sugar lbs. 132,013. 

Oats " - 141,794. Wool, - •' 676,969. 

Villages. Middlebury and Vergennes are the two 
principal places in this county, and are both situated on 
Otter creek. 

Vergennes, though not so large as some of the other 
villages in the etata, has a city charter and a city or- 
ganization. It is situated at the lower falls on Otter 
creek, which furnish an abundance of available water 
power. The city charter embraces a territory a littlo 
more than one mile square. 

Middlebury is twelve miles south east from Ver- 
gennes, and is the shire town of the county. It contains 
four or five churches, several cotton and woollen fac^ 
tories, and the edifices of Middlebury College. 

The Burlington and Rutland rail road passes through 
both of the above villages. 

Education. Middlebury college (see page 123,) is sit- 
uated in the centre of the county, and has exerted a 
good influence over the the educational interests of the 
neighborhood. There is also a respectable female sem- 
inary in Middlebury. . 

of th« eastern parts T IIow many hor««8 in 1840 .'— cattl* 7— sheep ? &c. Which are 
the principal places t What is eaid of Vergennes ?— of MiUdUbury )-- of educa- 



ADDI30N COUNTY. l4^ 



The number of common schools in the county is 197, 
and they are, many of them, of high order for schools 
of that class. 

Pursuits. The pursuits are chiefly agricultural. In 
the census of 1840, the returns show that 100 were en- 
gaged in commerce, 1,076 in manufactures and trades, 
and 116 in the learned professions. The production of 
wool has been a favorite pursuit. 

History. The first civilized establishment on the west 
side of the Green Mountains, within the present limits 
of Vermont, was made at the place now called Chimney 
Point, in the town of Addison. It was made by the 
French, in 1731, the same year in which they built fort 
Frederick, which was afterwards called Crown Point. 

The establishment at Chimney point consisted of a 
number of small dwellings, and a large stone windmill, 
which served the double purpose of a mill to grind meal 
for the little settlement and garrison and a fort to de- 
fend them from the enemy, for in it were six cannon 
mounted for service. 

Chimney point is probably indebted for its name, to 
the ruins of this mill, they having been mistaken by tho 
early American settler's for the remains of chimneys. 

The French abandoned Chimney point in 1759, 
but no settlements were made within the county by 
emigrants from other parts of New England, till 1769, 
when a settlement was effected in what is now Waltham 
and a saw mill was erected upon the falls in Otter creek 
now in Vergennes. Settlements were made in Middle- 
bury and some other towns in 1773, and 1774. 

During the revolution,after the British got possession 
of lake Champlain in 1776, the settlements within the 
county were all abandoned. But at the close of the war 
in 1783, the settlements were renewed, and, in the course 

tioni— of common schools? Wl.at is said of the pursuits ? What the first civil- 
ilized establishment 1 When? What is said of Chimney point?— its name?— 
When abandoned by the French ?— When the first English settlement ?— What 
look placj) during the wur ?— at tho close of the war ?— What did the coonty em- 



142 



ADDISON COUNTY. 



of two or three years they were in progress in most of 
the towns in the central and western parts of the 
county. 

When Addison county was incorporated, in 1785, it 
embraced all the territory in Vermont on the west side 
of the mountains, to the northward of Rutland county. 
When Chittenden county was incorporated two years 
after, Addison county was restricted to very nearly its 
present limits. 



II. BENNINGTON COUNTY. 



Incorporated, Feb. 11. - 1779 
First settlement, - - 1761 
Population in 1840, - 16,872 



Number of towtls, . - 17 

Square miles, - - - - 612 
Population lo square mile, 27^ 



TO NWS. 



Towns. 


Chartered. 


Set- 
tled. 

1763 


Orga- 
nized 

1768 


Pop. in 
1S40. 


Sq. 
miloR 


Pop. to 
sq. mile. 


Gr. List, 
18:37. 


1. Arlington, jjuly 28, 1761 


1,038 


39 


26| 


3,873 


2. Bennington'Jan, 3, 1759 


1761 


1762 


3,429 


39 


87§ 


10,566 


S.Dorset, [y Aug. 20, 1761 


1768 


1769 


1,426 


41 


34g- 


3,561 


4, Glastenbur!Aug.20, 1761 






53 


40 


n 


172 


5. Landgrove;Nov. 8, 1780 


1769 


1800 


344 


8 


43 


532 


6. Manchester Au<r. 11, 1761 


1764 


1766 


J ,594 


39 


41 


5,146 


7. Peru, 


Oct. 13, 1761 


1773 


1802 


578 


39 


15 


844 


8. Pownal, 


Jan. 8, 1760 


1762 




1,613 


39 


4U 


4,203 


9. Readsboro' 








767 


35 


22 


1,068 


10. Rupert, 


Aug. 20, 1761 


1767 




1,086 


39 


28 


4,031 


11. Sandgate, 


Aug. IS, 1761 


1771 




776 


39 


20 


1,638 


12. Searsburgh 


Feb, 23, 1781 






120 


18 


7 


234 


13. Shaftsbury, 


Aug. 20, 1761 


1763 




1,885 


41 


46 


5.597 


14. Stamford, 


Mar, 6,1753 






662 


39 


17 


1,546 


15. Sunderland 


July 30, 1761 


17661769 


438 


39 


lU 


1,006 


16. Winhall, 


Sep. 15, 1761 




1796 


576 


39 


14| 


1,162 


17. ^Foodford, 


Mar. 6, 1753 






487 


39 


m 


928 










16,872 


612 


27^ 


"46,107 



brace when incorporated 1— When restricted 7— When was Bennington county 
incor|iorated .'—settled ?— population ?— number of towns .'—square miles?— pop- 
ulation to a square mile?— Which town first chartered.'— first settled?— first or- 
ganized ?— most populous ?— vrealthiest 1 «fcc- 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



143 




D Deerfield river, Y Battenkill. 

Situation. Bennington county is situated in the south 
western corner of the state bordering on New York and 
Massachusetts. 

Boundaries. It is bounded north by Rutland county, 
east by V/indham county, south by Massachusetts and 
west by New York. 

Extent. This county is about thirty-nine miles long 
from north to south, and at the north part twenty miles 
wide, containing 611 square miles. It is divided into 
seventeen townships. 

Shii^e Town. Bennington and Manchester are half 
shires. The courts sit at each alternately. 

Surface. The surface of this county is veiy uneven 

IIow !■ Bennington county f»itTiateil ?— How bounded ?— What its cxteut ?— 
(Bquare miles ?--number of towns ? what the surface T 



144 GfcOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

and many parts of it mountainous. The waters flow 
from the countys as may be seen by the map, in all di- 
rections. The principal range of the Green Mountains 
stretches along the eastern part of the county, while a 
subordinate range, called the Tacoiiic, passes through 
the western part. The principal summit of the latter is 
Equinox mountain in Manchester, which has been cal- 
culated to be 3706 feet above tide-water. The highest 
part of the road over the Green Mountains in Peru, is 
about 2100 feet above the tide. Mount Anthony, in 
Dennnington is a considerable elevation. 

JStreams, The head branches of Deerfield river, and 
West river rise in the eastern part of the country. 
From the south and west parts the waters are carried 
by Hoosic river, and the Battenkill, into tke Hudson in 
the state of New-York. From the north part they are 
conveyed by Pawlet river and Otter creek into lake 
Champlain. The principal streams within the county 
are the Battenkill and Walloomscoik rivers. The latter 
runs through Bennington and falls into the Hoosic, 
'in the state of New- York. It was on the bank of the 
Walloomscoik, near where it crosses the state line, that 
tiie Bennington battle was fought. 

Falls. All the streams abound in falls and rapids, and 
furnish numerous and excellent mill privileges, which 
are extensively occupied, especially in Bennington. 

Cariosities. There are several large and curious caves 
in Dorset, one of which is much more extensive, than 
,any other known in the state. There is an interesting 
cave on the east side of Mount Anthony, in Benning- 
ton, about one mile from the centre village, in which 
are numerous stalactites. There is also another inter-» 
esting caveiin Manchester, on the east side of JEquinox 
mountain. 

IIow do the waters flow 7 V^T'hat mountains ? — what said of Equinox? — Wha 
et reams in the eastern |>art ?— southern 7— What is said WollojJiecoik 7 What ia 
BQ.id ol' falls / What caves in Dorset 't 



BENNINGTOM COUNTY. 145 



Geology. The rocks of all the western and central 
parts of the county belong to the Taconic group. Those 
of Rupert Sandgate, Arlington, the greater part of 
Shaftsbury and the northwestern corner of Benning- 
ton, are magnesian slate. East of this, extending from 
Pownal to Dorset, is the range of Stockbridge lime- 
stone. Adjacent to this limestone, still farther east, is 
the range of quartz rock of the Taconic system. The 
rocks of the remainder of the county lying east of a 
line extending from the centre of Stamford to the cen- 
tre of Peru, are Green Mountain gneiss. 

In the range of Stockbridge limestone in this county, 
quarries of marble have been opened in various pla- 
ces. The quarries in Dorset have been most extensive- 
ly wrought. This marble is white, and because sawed 
in Manchester, is often called Manchester marble. 

Ores. Iron ore, (brown hematite) is found in Benning- 
ton, Manchester and Dorset. The most extensive iron 
works are in the east part of Bennington, and the ore 
used in them is obtained from two beds, one near the 
works, and the other in the western part of the town. 

The black earthy oxide of manganese is found in 
great abundance in Bennington, in connexion with the 
iron ore. Ochre is also found in Bennington, and about 
500 tons of it are prepared and sent to market an- 
nually. 

Building Materials. The range of Stockbridge lime- 
stone furnishes an abundance of goodbuilding stone, 
and in most parts there is a plenty of clay and sand for 
bricks. 

Clay. Besides the common brown or blue clay, there 
are in this county several beds of white or jiipe clay^ of- 
ten called Kaolin. These beds are also sometimes 
called putty-beds. 

In Bennington ?— in Manchester ? What rocks in the western and central parts ■? 
What their order ? What to the eastward 1 What is said of the limestone .'— 
marble ? Where is iron ore found ? Where abnndant ? What is said of the ox- 
ide of manganese ?— of ochrc 7— of tjuildius materials .'—clay ; 



liW GEOGBAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



One of these beds, in the east part of Bennington, 
supplies an extensire manufactory of fire-bricks, and 
stone ware, in tlie east village in that town. 

K3oil and Productions. A considerable proportion of 
this county is mountainous and broken, and suitable on- 
ly for grazing. But there are in the vallies and on tha 
slopes, large tracts of excellent tillage lands from which 
good crops are obtained. 

The statistics of the last census show tliat ther«t 
were in 1840 

Horses - - - - 3 3y7 Rye. bush. - - - 25 671 
Cattle - _ - - 1G.S79 Buckwheat - - - 1G.071 
Sheep , - - - J0i,721 Indian Corn - - 70 245 
Swine - - - - 9^906 Potatoes - - 5G1279 

l\nieat, busb. - - 12 959 Hay, ton« - - - 42 907 
Jiarley, do - - 1.513 Maple sugar lbs. 180,986 
Oats "do - - 137 S37 Wool do 223 'g7 4 

Manufactures. Those consist principally of iron, and 
cotton and woollen goods. The iron produced in 1S40, 
was 1.829 tons. There were then in the county, 5 
furnaces and 8 vrooUen and 3 cotton factories. 

Pursuiis. In 1840, according to the returns of tho 
census, there were in this county 3^097 engaged in ag- 
riculture, 83 in commerce, 945 in manufactures and 
trades and 81 in the learned professions. 

Villages. Tho }^>rinoipal villages are in Bennington, 
Manchester and Arlington. In Bennington there are 
several villages. The most important of these, are Ben- 
nington Ckuitre and the East village. The East village 
is largest, but the county buildings are at the Centre. 

Education. The number of school -districts in this 
county 146 and the number of children between 4 and 
IS years of age is about 5700. There are flourishing 
academies at Bennington and Manchester. Union Acad- 

V/hai is nia'l«^ ofit 7 Whnl is sai:l of soil ? &-f. How manyhorsps 7 A-.c. What 
iss.-ii.l of niamirac(iir«s ? — of iha pursuiis ' What are the "prin-ipal villages?— 
W-hst ihc numJi-T of ^rh'-ii! tli?;rir!?.-- «'!if>lar5.' Whnt academics ? 



DENNINGTOX COHNTT. 1 i7 

emy cd Bennington is under the patronage of the Bap- 
tist denomination. 

Bicrr Seminary^ at Manchester, owes it« existence to 
the munificence of thie late Joseph Burr, Esq. In the 
distribution by his will of his large estate in 1828, he 
loft $10,000 to found a literary institution in Manches- 
ter. The institution was incorporated Oct. 28, 1829, and 
the school commenced in May 1833. 

IJislory. The first township chartered within the 
state ; and the first permanent settlement in Vermont on 
the west side of the mountains, was in Bennington 
county in the town of Bennington, in the spring of 
1761. 

In this county was formed the first organized opposi- 
tion to the claims of New-York to the territory called 
the New-Hampshire grants. In this county the coun- 
cil of safety held its meetings previous to the forma- 
tion of the state government. 

On the west line of this county, on the IGth of Aug., 
1777, was fought the celebrated Bennington battle, 
which gave the first check to the proud career of Bur- 
goyne. The trophies of that battle were, in part, four 
brass field pieces, two of which have by the generosity 
of the general government, been recently placed in the 
Capitol of Vermont at Montpelier, there to remain as 
monuments of the valor of the Green Mountain Boys. 

The first Christian church formed vv^ithin the present 
limits of Vermont, was the Congregational church in 
Bennington, which v/as organized Dec. 2, 1762 ; and 
the first settled minister was the Rev. Jedediah Dewey, 
who was settled over this church in the fail of 1763. 

What iaeaid ef Burr SeHQinary? Which was the first township graa:ed «nd 
psrmanently settled ia the western part of the state ? What tosk place her* 1 — 
what near the west line ot'the coiiiuy ? Where are two olthe field pieces ] Whcu 
aud wher« was the first church Ibrnied in Vt. 7 — minister settled'? 



148 



GEOGRAPHT BT COL'NTIHS. 



III. CALEDONIA COUNTY. 



Incorporated Nov. 5, 
First settlement, - 
Population in 1840, 



1792 I Number of towns, 
1,770 Square miles, - 
21,891 I Pop. to the square mile. 



18 

640 

34 



TOWNS. 







S«t- [Orga- 


Pop. in 


Sq. 


Pop. 10 


Gr. L1.SI., 






tled. uized 


ISIO. 


miles 


sq. mile. 


isi7. i 


1 . Barnet, 


Sept 15,1763;i770!l783 
Jan. 27, 17yi| | 


2,030 


40 


51 


$4,857 


2. Bradleyvale, 


50 


6 


8 




3. Burke, 


Feb. 26, 1782; 17904 796 


997 


36 


28 


2,281 


4. Cabot, 


Nov. 6, 1780; 1785 


1,440 


36 


40 


3,169 


5. Danville, 


Oct 31, 1786 1785 1787 


2,633 


44 


60 


6.220 


6. Groton, 


Oct. 20,17891787 1797 


928 


38 


24* 


1>26 


7, Hard wick, 


Aug.l9, 1781 1790 1795 


1,354 


36 


37| 


3,778 


8. Kirby, 


Oct. 27,179017991807 


520 


19 


27:^ 


1,185 


9. Lyndon, 


Nov. 20, 178017881791 


1,753 


36 


49 


4,746 


10. Newark, 


Aug.l5, 1781 ; 1800 


360 


36 


10 


684 


11. Peacham, 


Dec. 31, 1763 1775 


1,443 


40 


36 


4,781 


12. Ryegate, 


Sep. 8, 1763 17741 


1,223 


34 


36 


3,006 


I3.St..Tohnsbury 


Nov. 1,1786478611790 


1,887 


35 


54 


6.234 


14. Sheffield, 


Nov. 7,1780 




821 


35 


23^ 


1,371 


J 5. Sutton, 


Feb. 6, 17821791 




1,068 


36 


1,923 


16. Walden, 


Aug. 18, 17814 78911794 


813 


36 


25| 

38§ 


1,962 


17. Waterford, 


Nov. 8,178017874793 


1,388 


36 


3,471 


18. Wheelock, 


June 14, 178517904792 


881 


36 


24^ 
8 


320 


Goshen & Harris' 
Gores. 






■ 


202 


25 




21,891 


64U 


34 


51,723 



Situation. Caledonia county is situated, in the north- 
eastern section of the State, and embraces the terri- 
tory watered by the Passumpsic, and by the head 
branches of Winooski and Lamoille rivers. 

Boundaries. It is bounded north by Orleans county, 
east by Essex county and Connecticut river, south by 
Orange county, and west by Washington, Lamoille, and 
Orleans counties. 

Extent. The extreme length of this county from 
north to south is about 40 miles, and its width is about 

When was Caletlonia county incorporatedj?— settled ?— population ? Number of 
towns?— .square miles ? Population to square mile ?— Which town first settled ?— 
most populous .' — most wealthy ? &c. How situated .^ How bounded.' Whattlis 
extcut 7— area 7— number of towas ? 



CALEDONIA COUNTY. 



119 




A Connectisui, Rivur. K Wells River, L Paccuiiipiic liiver. 

2S miles. Its area is 640 square miles. It is divided 
into 18 townships and tliree small gores. 

Shire Town. — Danrille. 

Surface. Much of this county is quite elevated, con- 
stituting what is called the height of lands, but the 
surface is less broken than that of several other coun- 
ties in the State. There are no mountains within the 
county worthy of particular notice. 

The heights of several points in this county above 
the mouth of Passumpsic river were determined by 
the surveys, made by De Witt Clinton, between 1825 
and 1S30, to ascertain the practicability of a canal route 
from Connecticut river to lake Memphremagog. The 



Shire town ? What is said of the 
Bcertaiiiei 

13* 



iurface? How were the height? inentionci 



1228 


feet 


lOSO 




1043 




840 




746 




209 




634 




100 




68 




28 


.« 



150 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

mouth of the Passumpsic is supposed to be 449 feet 
above tide vv'ater ; this number being added to the num- 
bers below will, if correct, give the heights of the seve- 
ral places above the sea: — 
Ly ford's pond, Walden, 
Joe's Pond, Cabot, - - » 

Onion river, pond, Peacham, 
Keezers pond, Danville, 
Savanna j^ond, Sutton, 
Cahoon mill dam, Lyndon, 
Wells river pond, Groton, 
Ramsey's mill dam, St. Johnsbury, 
Mouth of Moose river, " 

" of Joe's brook, Barnet, 
Streams. The southwestern part of the county is wa- 
tered by Wells river; but full three-fourths of the coun- 
ty are watered by the Passumpsic and its branches. 

The most important branches of the Passumpsic are 
Moose river and Joe's brook, or Merritt's river. The 
former rises in Essex county, and is about 24 miles 
long. The latter originates in Cole's pond, in Walden, 
passes through Joe's pond, and joins the Passumpsic 
in Barnet. The Yvanooski, Lamoille, and Barton river, 
all receire Waters from this county. The streams fur- 
Hish conrenient water power in all parts of the county. 
The mill privileges at the outlet of Joe's pond are re- 
markably good. 

Ponds. Ponds are numerous in this county. The 
most important are: — Joe's pond. Cole's pond, Wells 
river pond and Harvey's pond. 

The following is a list of the principal ponds, their 
areas and height above tide : — 

Joe's pond, Cabot, 1000 acres, 1529 feet. 

Molly's pond, Cabot, GO " 1611 " 

Cole's " Walden, 
Lyford's " " 1677 " 

Wkat tb« liigkcst pond 1 Hew situated 7 Describe th« Pasjumpsic and its 
braucUes ? Wkat rirwrs ride i» th« county ? What mill privileges mentioned i— 
What pondfl ? What the hize and lenjith if Joe'« poud \ &.<:. 



CALEDONIA COUNTY. 151 



Onion river 


pond, 


Peacham, 


300 


acres,. 1492 « 


Hosmer's 




- 


250 


;( 


V/ells river 


a 


Groton, 


800 


" 1083 '• 


Little 


a 


u ' 


100 


u 


Stiles 


a 


Waterford. 


100 


u 


Harvey's 


a 


Barnet, 


300 


iC 


Ross' 


a 


'' 


100 


(I 



Sp7^ing-s. The only s])ring in tJiis county which has 
attracted attention is in Hardwick. and is thought to 
be efficacious in some cutaneous complaints. 

Geology. The rocks of Caledonia are primitive, and 
belong to the calcareo-mica slate formation, but granite 
has been forced up through this formation in numer- 
ous places, and the rock in the southwestern parts, 
embracing the greater part of Groton and Peacham, 
and the western part of Danville, and eastern part of 
Cabot, are almost exclusively granite. Large quanti- 
ties of granite are likewise found in Walden, Hardwick, 
and Ryegate. Much of the rock in Cabot, Walden, and 
Wheelock, is hornblende slate, and there is a range of 
clay slate, which forms high bluffs along Connecticut 
river, and extends north through Waterford and Kirby. 

Dikes. Greenstone and granite dikes are not uncom- 
mon. One of the former in Barnet, near the mouth of 
the Passumpsic, acquired some notoriety for a time on 
account of being mistaken for a vein of iron ore. 

Marl. The deposits of shell marl in this county are 
very numerous ; more numerous probably than in any 
other county in the state; and several of them are quit© 
extensive. The greater part of these 
beds are cofered with a thick layer of 
black muck, but several of them are 
covered immediately by the water with 
no muck intervening. The shell which 
appear most abundant in some of these beds, is a large 
species of cyclas. Fig. 39. 

What springs "? What said of iafiisorial silica 1 What is said ef th« rocks ^^{ 
granite 1 Where is hornblende slate found ?— clay slate ^ What is said of dilies 7 
— ol shell marl ?— of the beds ? of shells ? 




152 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



not easily tilled, but is good 


^or grazing. The statistics 


in 1840 were as follows : — 






Horses, - - 5.852 


Indian Corn, 


- 52,250 


Cattle, - - 32.668 


Rye, bush., 


1,799 


Sheep, - - 100,886 


Buckwheat, 


- 12.005 


Swine, - - 18.991 


Potatoes, - 


- 1.066.848 


Wheat, bush., - 52^109 


Hay, tons, 


- ' 67:077 


Barley, - - 12,291 


Maple Sugar, 


lbs., 665.397 


Oats, bush., - 342,433 


Wool, - 


'• lS3:i9S 



What of iron ore?— of minerals? What minerals mentioned.' What fo.?silsnre 
found ? What ia said of buiiding materials ? What do the returno of ISIO Gho\v ,' 



In Hosmer's pond in Peacham there is a deposit o( 
infusorial silica, which is a white substance resembling 
marl in appearance, but consists of silex instead of 
lime. It is made up of the shields of so very minute 
animalcules that it would take many billions of them 
to make a cubic inch. It has already been described 
on page 52. 

Ores. Iron ore has been found in Waterford, and in 
small quantities at some other places, but no large de- 
posits have yet been discovered. 

Minerals. This county furnishes a considerable va- 
riety of interesting minerals, among which are ensi- 
form crystals of feldspar, staurotide, garnet and horn- 
blende in Cabot ; the first near Joe's pond, and the others 
in tlie hornblende slate, a little below the lower village, 1 
near the road to Montpelier. In Walden are found j 
large quantities of stellar crystals of hornblende in a 
dark arenaceous limestone. About two miles south of 
Danville village there is a seam of impure plumbago 
or black lead. 

Soil and Productions. The soil along the Passumpsic j 
is inclined to sand, but is easily tilled and productive* 
Westward from this stream, till the granite is reached ; 
in the western part of Danville and Peacham, there is 
a greater mixture of clay and lime, and the soil is very 
rich and strong. The region of granite is rough and 



!| 



CALEDONIA CODNTY. r53 



Fossils. The fossils are those of the marl beds, con- 
sisting mostly of the genera, planorbis, limnaea and 
cyclas, and those of the infusorial silica, in which more 
than a dozen known species have been recognized. 

Buildmg- Materials. Granite, either in place or in 
large boulders, and of the best quality is found in vari- 
ous parts of the county. One of the' most interesting 
quarries is in what is called Blue mountain in Rye- 
gate. The stone is divided by seams into beds, or plates, 
which may be easily raised, of almost any required 
thickness or dimensions. Deposits of clay and sand 
are found in most parts of the county. 

Fin^suits. The returns of 1840 show that 6004 in this 
county were engaged in Agriculture, 913 in manufac- 
tures and trades, and 103 in the learned professions. 

Villages. The villages are all small. The principal 
are Danville, St. Johnsbury, Barnet, Lyndon and 
Cabot. Danville is the shire tov.m. The village is on 
elevated ground in the midst of a beautiful farming 
country. It contains the county buildings, an a acad- 
emy and three churches. 

Education. The number of school districts is 221, 
and the nnmber of scholars between 4 and 18 years of 
age, 7027, or about 33 to each district. The average 
length of the schools is 21 weeks. in the year. 

Caledonia county grammar school was located at 
Peacham in 1795, and has been one of our most useful 
academies. Philips academy was incorporated at Dan- 
ville in 1840. 

History. The first settlement within this county was 
made in Barnet, in 1770, by Jacob, Elijah and Daniel 
Hall, and Jonathan Fowler. The 'first gristmill was 
built in the sam« town irf 1772, by Enos Stevens. In 
1774, settlements were commenced ia Ryegate by emi- 
grants from Scotland. 

In 177G, General Bailey commenced making a road 
from Newbury through Peacham, towatds Canada, and 
in 1779, General Hazen continued thts road through 
Cabot, lYalden, &c. to Lowell. The object of this road 
was said to be to enable the United States to send an 
army into Canada. This road was of great service in 
the first settlement of the northern parts of the state, 

What is said of villayeB?— the principal? — Danville? "What, the number of 
school districts ''—scholars ?— len^jth of school .-'— grammar schools ? When, "where 
»nd bj whom was the first sfttlemeiit muds i 



151 



QgOQRAPHY BY COUNTIES, 



and was generally known by the name of the llazen 
Road. 

Settlements were begun in Poacham in 17S0, and 
this being the frontier post, a small block house was 
built and crarrisoned by a sergeant's guard. Th4s guard 
was however Avithdrawn in the fall, and the settlers 
left to look out for themselves. In March following a 
party of the enemy from Canada came upon them car- 
ried off a number of prisoners, among whom were 
Col. Thomas Johnson of Newbury, Jacob Page, and 
Col. Jonathan Elkins. Col. Elkins was carried a pris- 
oner to England, but subseq^uently returned and resid- 
ed in Peacham. 



IV. CHITTENDEN COUNTY. 



Incorporated, October 22, 3 737 
First settlement, - - - 1774. 
Population in 3 840, - - 22,977 



Number of towns, - . - 15 
Square miles, ----- 485 
Pop. to the square mile, - - 47| 



Towns. 


Chartered. 


Set- 
tled. 


Orga- 
nized 


''?£o." 


Sq.. 
miles 


Pop. to 
6q. mile. 


(ir. List] 
lSi7. j 


1. Bolton, 


June 7, 17631 




470 


44 


11 


§1,001 


2. Burlington, 


.Tune 7, 1763 177J 


1787 


4.271 


26 


164 


18.247 


3. Charlotte, 


.Tune 24, 1762 1784 




1,620 


38 


43 


5.755 


. 4. Colchester, 


June 7,17631774 


1791 


1 ,739 


31 


56 


5,306 


5. Essex, 


.Tune 7,1763178311786 


1,824 


36 


51 


4,183 


6. Hincsburgh, 


.Tune 21, 17621783 1787 


1.682 


36 


47 


4,622 


7. Huntington, 


June 7,17631786171)0 


914 


24 


38 


1,813 


S.Jericho, iTune 8,1763177411786 


1.68.5 


28 


60 


4,699 


9. ?.Iil;on, 


June S, 17631782!17S8 


2,134 


40 


33 


5,819 


10. Richmond, 


17941784|l7l}5 


1,054 


27 


39 


3,305 


11. Shelbume, 


Aug 18,1763177411787 


1,098 


24 


AQ 


4,032 


12. St. George, 


Aug. 13, 17631784'1813 


121 


3 


40 


360 


13. Unclerhill, 


.Tune 8, ]7631786ll7D5 


1,441 


46 


32 


2,254 


14. Wcstford, June 8, 17G3i | 


1,352 


36 


38 


2.648 


15. Williston, 


Jitfc 7,17631774 1786 


1,554 


34 


46 


4,883 


Bucl's & Ave- 
















ry's Gore, 


- 


- 


- 


18 


9 


2 












22,977 


485 


47^ 


68,925 



The first mill built ? What \& said of Ryegate ?— of the Ilazen Read ?— its object 1 
Wkat took place in Peacbam ? When was Cliittenden county incorporatpd .'— 
Mttled'J — population? — numher townsi — square milea .''—population to squar* 
Hiilo.* Whicli tOTTD first staled 1— organized ? «tc. 



CHITTENDEN COUNTT. 



i55 




.J 



A I.iiks r;K';v:p!a:;:. K Lahu.ille River. S Winoojki KiTGr. 

Mtuation. Chittenden count>MS situated in the north 
•ivestern part of the state, and borders on lake Cham- 
plain. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Franklh 
<"onnty, east by Lamoille and \Yashington counties, 
soTith b/ Addison county and Vv^est by lake Chana- 
plain. 

Extent. This county is 30 miles lon.^ from nortii to 
south, and 22 miles wide from east to west, and contains 
485 square miles. Tins territory is divided into 15 town- 
S!iips and two small gDres. 

Shire Town. 13ur]mf::ton. 

'Surface. The surface of this county, though consid- 
erably diversified, presents a gradual elevation from 

IIovv If! Chiiten len county situated? — bonnded?— extern! — number of lowns?*— - 
*cuajx iniks 7— shire? Wltal the surfor* ?r 



156 GEOGEAPHT BY COUNTIES. 

the shore of hike Champlain to the highest summit nf 
the Green Mountains. There are some con^-iderabh 
tracts in the western parts which may be called level, 
but most of the land lies in swells and acclivities which. 
in the eastern part, rises into mountains. The alluvial 
fiats along: Yv'^inooski river, are fertile and beautiful, and 
are considerably extensive, particularly in Burlington, 
Colchester and Richmond. 

Mountains. The eastern boundary of this county pas- 
ses over the summits of some of the most lofty eleva- 
tions in the state. These are the several peaks of the 
Mansfield mountains and Camel's Hump. The Mans- 
field mountains were originally within the township of 
Mansfield. That part of Mansfield lying west of t];ie 
summits of these mountains was annexed to Under- 
bill. Camel's Hump lies on the line between Hunting- 
ton and Duxbury, in the county of Vv^ashington. 

The following are the heights of several places in 
this county, above lake Champlain, which have been 
ascertained by measurement. 

Snake Hill, Milton, 

Cobble Hill "... 

Sugar Loaf Charlotte 

Underbill Flat 

Church at Jericho Corners 

Essex Village 

University of Vermont 

Court House Burlington, (beginning 
of brick work) . ' . 

Church at Winooski village 

Church at Williston .... 

Richmond village (R. Road Survey) 242 " 
Rivers. Chittenden county is well watered. The riv- 
er Lamoille passes through the north western part, the 
Laplot waters the southern part, wliile the Winooski 
river runs through the county near the centre, in. a 
north western direction, and falls into the lake/Tour 

Western part ?— flats ?— of the eastern boiindar)' ? What summits ?— in what 
towns 1 What the height of Snake hill '—Cobble .'—Sugar Loaf? drc. How 

\\iirrcf" 7- in r.ortiT ?- sourh wert ? 



822 fe 


737 '• 


913 •' 


575 f' 


514 " 


3G2 «' 


277 '. 


112 '•' 


113 '■• 


312 '- 



CHITTE-NUEN COCXTY. lo'i 



miles in a straight line northwesterly from the village 
of Burlington. The northeastern part of the county is 
watered by Brown's river, which rises in Underhill, and 
taking a circuit through Jericho, Essex and Westford, 
falls into the river Lamoille in Fairfax, in Franklin 
covmty. The southeastern part is watered by Hunting- 
ton river, which rises in Avery's and Buel's gore, runs 
through Huntington, and falls into Winooski river in 
Richmond. 

The streams furnish an abundance of water for mills 
and manufactories in all parts of the county, and par- 
ticularly at the falls in Lajiioille river in Milton and 
Winooski falls, between Burlington and Colchester. 

Fallu. The most interesting falls in this county, are 
the Great falls, in Milton, and Winooski falls. The for- 
mer are at present unoccupied, and surroundedby wild 
and romantic scenery. On Winooski falls are a large 
woollen factory, a cotton factory and a variety of oth- 
er mills and machinery. Half a mile above these falls 
the Winooski has cut a channel through the limestone 
rock for nearly a quarter of a mile in length. Portions 
of this channel are not more than 70 feet wide at the top 
und are more than 60 feet deep, having both sides near- 
ly perpendicular. A bridge has been thrown across the 
tipper part of this channel, which is generally known 
as the High Bridge. The vicinity of this bridge is a 
botanical locality celebrated for rare plants. The 
Central railroad passes for some distance along the 
brink of this chasm, and then crosses it twice before 
reaching the lower end. 

Ponds. The ponds are small, and not numerous. 
Shelburne pond and Hinesburgh pond, are the most con- 
siderable. There is also a pond in Essex, and another 
in Milton ; the latter contains a large quatity of shell- 
marl. 



Central? north east? What is said of the streams ?— falls ? What lallsmcntion- 
•rH What ©f Winooski falls? What is said of channels?— of High bridge ?— 
Where does the rail road pass 1 What ponds ?— of the on e in Milton r 
li 



158 C4EGGRAPII¥ BY COUNTIES. 

Geology. The rocks in the eastern half of this coun- 
ty are all primary. Those in the western half, belong 
to the transition, or palaeozoic division. 

The primary rocks of this county, are mostly talcose 
slate, being in some parts chloritic. and in others ap- 
proaching to mica slate. Through Underhill and Jeri- 
cho, at the foot of the mountains, runs a narrow range 
of plumbaginous slate. 

The lowest palaeozoic rock, which appears in this 
county, is the Trenton limestone. Tliis occupies a 
small space in the south western part of the county and 
extends along the lake shore a little to the northward of 
Mc'Ncil's Ferry in Charlotte. It is succeeded to the 
east by a small extent of bird's eye limestone. Tlien 
foliov/s a dark shale, which is succeeded by the red 
sandrock group. 

Between the sliale and the sandrock, are occasionally 
interposed bedsof light blue limestone, of considerable 
tliickness. This is the case at Charlotte, a little south 
of Glebe Hill, at Burlington, near Lonerock point, and 
at Mallet's bay in Colcliestcr. 

The lower and central portions of the red sandrock 
group, are, for tlie most part, of a chocolate red color, 
distinctly stratified, and composed essentially of mi- 
nute grains of quartz. Above Winooski falls, and at 
several places in Colchester, the strata, of a thickness 
of 50 feet, consist entirely of brawn quartz. But in gen- 
eral the strata in this series become more calcareous 
in proceeding eastward, till they pass into a very good 
limestone, This is the case in Colchester, in the east 
part of Burlington and Shelburne, and the western part 
of Hinesburgh, at all of which places it is made into 
excellent quicklime. 

The palaeozoic rocks in this county are to a great ex- 

wyiat are the rocks? Wh.nt said of the primary ? What in Undarhill ? What 
13 eaid of Trenton litiiostone ? — <he bird's eye 7 — of blue limcptone.' — loca'itiea \ — 
red eandrock ?~-bro.\vn quartz .'— liincstoac f— at what places ? 



oniTTENDHH COTTNTT. 159 

tent, covered by a deposit of clay and sand which is 
regularly stratified. In this deposit are found a great 
abundance of fossil sea shells. There are interesting 
localities of these shells in all the towns in the county, 
which border upon the lake ; and one of these in Col- 
chester, is about two miles east of Mallets bay, and 
more than 200 feet higher than the lake, The shells 
most common in this formation are the Sangicinolaria 
fasca, Fig. 41, and Saxacava rugosa, Fig. 42. (These aro 
the figures referred to on page 41.) 

(41) (42) 





Sanguinolariafusca. Saxacava riigosa. 

Chittenden county exhibits more indications of re- 
cent igneous action than any other county in the state. 
These consist of greenstone and feldspathic dikes, 
of which more than 50 have been traced in the county- 
Many of these dikes are porphyritic, or amyg'daloi- 
dal. The direction of the dikes usually makes a large 
angle with the strike of the rocks, which is nearly from 
south to north. 

The rocks in this county generally have an easterly 
dip. Along the lake shore the dip varies from 2"^ to 12^ 
In proceeding eastward the dip increases to about SO'^ 
at the eastern part of the paleeozoic series, when it sud- 
denly becomes much greater in the primary strata, and 
goes on increasing till it becomes vertical in the eas- 
tern part of Underbill and Jericho. 

Ores and Metals. This county has been regarded as 
somewhat deficient in these ; but recently a valuable 

What overlies the palfeozoic rocks'? What shells are found ? What examples 
given? How far distant from the lake are they found 1 What indications men- 
tioned? — Wliat are they? — their number ?— their direction? What is meant by 
porphyritic? What vray do tho rocks jip? How much f What is meant by dip'? 
What ores ? Where? 



160 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

bed of brown iron ore has been opened in Colchester, 
which affords indications of being extensive. The 
same kind of ore has been found at several other pla- 
ces in the vicinity. Red oxide of iron and bo^r ore. are 
found in small quantities in this town, near Clay point. 
Iron ore is also found in Milton, St. George, Hunting- 
ton and Jericho. A small quantity of native copper has 
been found in Colchester, filling minute seams in si- 
liceous limestone, but there are no indications that it 
exists in quantity. 

Minerals. These are of no great interest. Beautiful 
specimens of calcareous spar, are found in the seams of 
black slate at numerous places along the lake shore. 
There are localities of claystones in Shelburne and Col- 
chester. Those at Colchester frequently embrace fos- 
sil shells. In Shelburne and Colchester are dikes of 
porphyry. 

In Colchester is a bed of jasper, and jaspery iron 
ore, which furnishes very beautiful specimens. 

Building Stone. The rocks in this county are not. in 
general, of the kinds most suitable for building stone. 
The red sandrock formation, in several places, affords 
a good and handsome building stone, and it is exten- 
sively quarried in Burlington, for underpinnings and 
basements of buildings. It is a difficult stone to ham- 
mer into good shape, and is, therefore, not much used 
for walls of buildings. There are some strata in the 
talcose formation of the eastern part of the county, par- 
ticularly in Jericho and Westford, which are easily 
WTought, and make very good door steps and the like, 
but that formation, embracing more than half the coun- 
ty, is, generally, a very poor building stone. 

Clay and Sand. The clay and sand of the pleistocene 
formation in this county, are in many places, combined 
in the right proportion to make bricks, without the ad- 
dition of any other material. That is the case at the 

What is said of miucrais ?— of buildinj stone?— of sand aad clar? of lli«aoil? 



CIIITTENDEH COCNTT. 161 



extensive brick-yard iu Burlington, at tlie foot of Wi- 
nooski falls. 

Soil and Produciions. Tlie soil is various. The inter- 
vales along the rivers are rich and productive, and in 
places, as at Richmond^ Colchester and Burlington, ex- 
tensive and beautiful. In Milton, Colchester, Essex, 
and Burlington are extensive tracts of sandy plain, 
which were orit^inally covered with pitch, yellov/ and 
white pines. These plains generally lie a little more 
than 200 feet above the level of the lake. When culti- 
vated without manui-e, these plains produce little be- 
yond a scanty crop of rye; but when well supplied with 
muck, lime and other manures, they are found to yield 
very good crops of corn, potatoes. &c. The higher 
lands iu the eastern part of the county, are rich and 
productive, but not so easily cultivated. They are well 
adapted to the production of grass, for hay. and pas- 
turage, and support some very good dairies. 
The statistics of 1840 were as follows:— 
Horses, - • - 4;231 Rye, bush. - 31,570 
Cattle, - - 24,142 Buck wheat, '^ - 11,575 
Sheep. - - 110,774 Indian Corn," -119,087 
Swine, - - 25,310 Potatoes, » - 522,792 
Wheat, bush. - 29,502 Hay tons, - 56,357 
Barley, '• - 1^305 Maple SugarJbs. 177,343 

Oats, " - - 131^799 Wool, " 215,019 

Pursuits. The people are mostly employed in agri- 
culture. In 1840, there were 136 engaged in commerce, 
and 1027 in manufactures and trades, but the number 
has greatly increased since that time. 

Manufactures. The most important factories are, 
that for the manufacture of window glass in Burling- 
ton, and the cotton and woollen factories at Winooski 
Falls. The latter is an extensive establishment and 



pandy plain? 7 how high are they? how ma-i*- fertile ? .what is- raid of tb« 
/saf tern paj-t ? How many horses ir. F40tc] Howars the r&op[e employed? 
»*.'hat factories are rv.en-i?nt'd } V,'hai is said of villagea ]— of Burangion 1— ift» 

14* 



162 



tTGOQRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



makes cloths, which are unsurpassed by any made in 
the United States. 




Villages. These are all small with the exception of 
Burlington, which is the largest village in the state, 
and is delightfully situated on Burlington bay. The 
population of the village of Burlington is about 4000, 
and that of the whole tawn about 6000. The rail roads 
which centre here, and the facilities for communication 
through the lake, give this place advantages over 
eveiy other town in Vermont. The public buildings 
are the University, academy, court house and six 
churches. The Central rail road (B) and Southern rail 
road (A) meet and terminate in this village. 

Education. The university and a female seminary 
are situated in Burlington, and there are incorporated 
academies in Jericho, Hinesburgh and Burlington, and 
several flourishing private schools of a high order in 
diff'erent parts of the county. The county is divided 
into 170 school district for the support of primary 
schools, in 53 of which there are 3,542 scholars, or 
about 68 to a district. 



public buiUUngs ? railroailsl of education'} IIow many eehool districts? 



CHITTENDEN COUNTY, 163 

History. The first civilized establishment within the 
present limits of Chittenden county, was a block house, 
erected at Winooski falls in Colchester, in 1773, by Ira 
Allen, and Remember Baker. The next year, 1774, set- 
tlements were commenced along this river in Burling- 
ton, Colchester, Williston and Jericho, and also in 
ShelburneandCharlotte,but these settlements were all 
abandoned in 1776. In 1783, at the close of the war, 
the former settlers returned, and many others estab- 
lished themselves in this county, and this may be re- 
garded as the date of the first permanent settlement. 

This county for a while formed a part of Addison 
county, and the towns of Addison and Colchester were 
half shires, and the courts sat alternately at each. 
Chittenden county was incorporated in 1787, and for a 
time embraced most of the territory now included in 
the counties of Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille and 
Washington. Since- 1810 the limits of this county 
have been but little changed, the township of Mans- 
field only having been detached from it. 

Chittenden county has never been the theatre of any 
very important military operations. During the last 
war with great Britain. Burlington was a military post 
and several thousand troops were stationed there for a 
considerable time. 

What was the first establishment in the county 1 When 7 What -fras clone next 
year) when were they abandoned 7 When ilid the settlers return.' Of what 
did the co. form a part J What did it for a time embrace 7 How lo iig confined 
nearly to its present limits I What is said of military operations here I 



16i 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



V. ESSEX COUNTY. 



Incorporated Nov. 5, 
Firt-t sellleinent, - ■ 
ropuLtiou in 1840, • 



1792 
17G4 
4226 



Number of towns, . - - 17 
Square miles, - - - . 6^0 
Population to square mile, 7 



TOWNS. 



Chartered. 



Set- lOrga- 
tled. nized 



1. Averill, June 29, 176':;' 
; 2. Bloomfield, June 2;), 1762! \ 
; 3. Brighton, June 13, 1781[i823 1832 
i 4. Brunswick, Oct. 13, 176I!J7S0| 
\ 5. Canaan, I Feb. 26, 17821785; | 
i 6. Concord, ' Sep. 15, 1781 !l788i 171)41 
i 7. E. Haven, Oct. 22, 1700| | ' 
; 8. Ferdinand, Oct. 13, 176l| ! i 
I 9. Granby, Oci. 10, 17G1| '1821; 
•10. Guildhall, Oct. 10, 176I|1764 1785i 
jll. Lemington June 29, 17(i2' , 
!I2. Lewis, June29, 1762J ! 

113, Lunenburg July 5, 1763:17701781 
•14. Maidstone. Oct, 12, I76l'l770 
jl5. Norton, Mar. 8, 1787| 
jlC. Victory, Sep. 6, 1781| 
|17. Wenlock, ; Oct. 13, 176L 
I Gores. '...'. 



•op. in 


S.|. 


Pup. to 1 


ISIO. 


miles 


s-q- miU.j 


11 


36 


h 


17(.» 


36 


5 


157 


3G 


4^ 


130 


23 


4 


378 


32 


12 


1,024 


47 


22 


7ii 


36 


2 




23 





J 05 


3C 


3 


470 


30 


16 


124 


36 


3ii 




36 


i 


1,130 


46 


24^ 


271 


27 


10 ' 




36 


! 


140 


36 


4 


28 


34 


1 i 




34 


' 


1:^26 


^6-20 


' ' 



$421' 
3l3i 

467: 

916 

2.057; 
286 

228 

1,083 

321 

1,703; 
551: 

267- 



»,6o.^ 



Situation. Essex county is situated in the extreme 
north eastern corner of the state, and borders on Can- 
ada and Connecticut river. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Canada, 
on the east and south by Connecticut river, and on 
the west by Caledonia and Orleans counties. 

Extent. Its length from north to south is about 45 



an area of 620 square miles, 
townships and 3 gores. 



It is divided into 17 



When was Essex county incorpornted .' — settled 7 — population .'-towns 1 — squara 
Kiilcs? — popul.Tiion to a square mile .' Wliich town was first sealed ?— most pop- 
Vilouf? — wealthiest ?—unsprtled ? — rnosi thickly f-ettled ? How is Et^sox county 
liuuaied? How bounded? What its cxtctjt in square miles ?—nunibei ol towns.* 

llow many unsettled,'' 



ESo}:;X COUxN I'Y. 



165 




A Co., 

Shire To if ;•? .— Guil dh all. 

Surface. The surface of this county is very broken 
It consists to a great extent of steep hiils and moun- 
tains and narrow valiies occupied by swamps or ponds. 
None of the mountains rise to a veiy great height. 
Concord, Lunenburgh and a narrow strip next the 
river in the towns above, are the most feasible portion 
for settlement and most settled. 

The following heights above lake Charaplain, arc 
taken from Dev/it Clinton's Survey of canal routed. 



What the skiretown ' What ga;J of the surface .* 



res GEOGllAPUY BY COONTIE», 

Knowiton's lake, Brighton, - - - 1001. 

Spectacle pond, '•--.. lOOL 

Summit level, " _ . , . 1003. 

rCul began pond, "VVenlock, - - . 991, 

Junction of Nulhegan, Bloomfield, - - 978. 

Mouth of ?^'ulhe£ran, ^' _ _ _ 711. 

Guildhall Falls, (head) Guildhall, - - - 653. 

Twenty miles Rapids, (head) Luncnburgh, 640. 
Streams. The eastern part of the county is watered 
by numerous tributaries of the Connecticut, whicli 
are mostly small. The most important of these is Nul- 
hegan river. The western parts are watered by Moose 
river, and the head branches of Clyde river, and Coat- 
acook river, vvhich runs north into St. Francis river. 

Springs. In the town of Brunswick, there is a spring 
w^hich is somewhat celebrated, and resorted to both as 
a curiosity and for the cure of diseases. The spring 
is large-and issues from the precipitous bank of Con- 
necticut river at a height of perhaps 80 feet above that 
stream, the entire height of the bank being at this place 
near 200 feet. Upon the top of this bank lies a natural 
pond covering 25 acres, separated from the channel of 
the Connecticut by a gravelly ridge not more than a 
rod or two in width, and perhaps 15 feet higher than 
the bed of the pond. The pond receives a small 
stream, but has no visible o-utlet. The spring in the bank 
is probably the outlet of the pond. If so, it is very re- 
markable that while the waters of the pond are sweet 
and pure, those of the spring are strongly impregnated 
with sulphuretted hydrogen, and other substances 
which give them a disagreeable taste and smell. 

Ponds. Ponds are numerous in this county, but ma- 
ny of them are in unsettled parts and little known. 
The most important and best known are Knowiton's 
lake in Brighton, Leed's pond in Canaan, Neal's pond 
in Lunenburgh, and Miles and Hall's ponds inConcord. 

Wliat is snid of the streams?— What ppring-' mentioned? Describe its situation 
What said of ponds J 



E33SX COi:>fTY. 167 



txeology. The rocks of the central parts of this coun- 
ty are mostly granite. In the northern parts extend- 
ing into Canada, the rocks arc a kind of siliclous slate. 
In the eastern parts granite. mica slate and quartz rock 
abound ; while in the southern part chlorite or talcosc 
slate, is the prevailing rock. In this part near Connec- 
ticut river are vast accumulations of granite boulders. 

Dikes. — One of the most remarkable dikes observed 
in this county, is in the town of Concord. It is in tho 
talcose slate, is about 6 feet wide and has been traced, 
nearly in a straight line, about 3 miles in a direct4oa 
north 32^ east. It has a light color and api^ears like a 
magnesian limestone. 

Ores and Minerals, This county has been less thor- 
oughly explored than any other in the state, and, con- 
sequently,less is known respecting its mineral produc- 
tions. Iron ore ha.s been noticed in several places, but 
no extensive deposits of good ore have been found. 
There is in Brighton a considerable bed of sulplmret 
of iron suitable for making copperas. 

In Maidstone, beneath a bed of muck there is a small 
deposit of infusorial silica. The shields of 9 or 10 
different species of infusorial animalcules have been 
recognized in this deposit, and aLso the fossil pollen of 
pine and other trees. 

Soil and Productions. With the exception of ]i arrow 
tracts along Connecticut river, and a few patclics in 
other parts, the soil is hard and gravelly, and not very 
productive. Statistics of 1840. 



Horses, - - 1,207 


Swine, - - 3,G39 


-Cattle, - - 6,837 


Wh e at, b u s 1 1 . - llXAl 


Sheep, - - 14,183 


Barley, " - - 2!223 


Oats, bush. - 46.485 


Potatoes, " - - 235,180 


Rye, '' - - 1,537 


Hay, tons, - - 13.1G7 


J?uck v/heat, bush. 15,070 


Maple Sugar, lbs. 99,385 


Indian Corn, » - 6,709 


Wool, - " 23.605 



Wh.u are ihe rocks in the central part ? northern ] — eaptern ? — souihern7 What 
dike ie described 7 Whac is a dike 7(70) What is said of ores 7— of infusririal 
^dep^&it ? — of soil ? How many horees, cattle 7 &c. What, the chief pur^uii /— 



168 



GEOGRAniY nv carXTiEs. 



Pursuits. Agriculture is the chief pursuit. In ISh' 
there were 9 enaraged in- commerce, 90 in trades ana 
manufactures and 18 in the learried professions. 

Villages. The villages in tiiis county are all very 
small. ^ Guildhall, Concord and Lunenburgh are the 
most considerable. Guildhall is the shire ioicn. 

Educalion. There are in this county 54 school dis- 
tricts, in 20 of Vviiich there are 630 scholars. 

Ilisiory. The iirst settlement was made in this coun- 
ty in the lower part of Gaiidhall, in 1764, by David 
Page. Timothy Nash and George Wheeler. The lands 
on^which they settled Vv'ere then supposed to be in 
Lunentaurgh. The first settlers suffered severe priva- 
tions and^hardships. They brought their provisions 
in canoes from Northfield, Mass., a distance of 1'^ 
miles, and during the revolution they were constant! 
annoyed by Indians and tories, who killed their cattl>, 
plundered tlicir houses and. carried several of the in- 
habitants into captivity. 



VI. FRANKLIN COUNTY 



Incorpoiaied,_Nov. 5. - 1702 
First settlement, - - - 1783 
Populaiion ill 1840, - - 24,531 



Number of towns, - . - 1 ■ 

Square miles, 5!-^ 

Pop. to the square mile, - - 44^ 



TOWNS. 



Towns. ; Chartered. | S: |S^ 


l»on. ill 

1840. 

1,25b 


Si. 
miles 


Pop. lo iGr. Lisu 
sq. mile.! ISl". 


1. BakoisfieldJaii. 25,1791 


1789; 


42 


30 1 2,940 


2. ]{erksliire, 


June 22, 1781 


17921794 


1,818 


36 


50Ai 3,238 


3. Enosburgh 


May 15,1780 


17971798 


2.022 


36 


56 ; 3,372 


4. l^airfax, 


Auff.lS, 17fi3 


1783 1787 


1,918 


36 


. 53 ■ 3,53- 


5. Fairtield, 


Aug. 18, 1763 


17c:81790 


2,44S 


60 


41 i 4,066! 


6. Fletcher, 


Aug. 20, 1781 


1 


1,014 


36 


28 i 2,135 


7. Franklin, 


.VI ar 0, 1789 


17801793 


1,410 


36 


39 1 2,498 


8. Georgia, 


Aug 17,1763 


1784 1788 


2,106 


36 


58^' 4,361 


9. Highg-ate, 


Aug. 17,1763 


i 


2,292 


30 


76 ! 4,375 


lO.lNIontgoiu'v 


Oct. 8,1789 


1793 1802 


54S 


36 


15 i 1,278 


11. llicliford, 


Aug.21, 1780 


1797 1799 


914 


36 


25 1; 1,306 


12. St. Albans 


Aurr. 7, 1763 


1785'1788 


2,702 


36 


78 I 6,785 


13. Sheldon, 


Aug.18,1763 


1790i 


1,734 


36 


AS ! 3,542 


|14. S wanton, 


3ct. 17, 1763 


17871790 


2,312 


42 


55 j 4 ,330 


lAverv's Gore. 




- 1 - 


35 


15 


2| 


< 






24,531 


549 


44 Jj' 49.7641 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 




t 





A Lake (. iictiii]; aiii U Mi-^ibLu KiVLf. R Lamoil 

Sifuatioti. Franklin county is situated in the nortli- 
western part of tlie State, bordering on Canada and 
lake Champlain. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Canada, 
east by Orleans and Lamoille counties, south by La- 
moille and Chittenden counties, and west by Missisco 
bay and lake Champlain. 

Extent. The extent of the county from east to west 
is^about 34 miles, and from north to south about 26 
miles. It is divided into li townships and one gore. 

Shire Town. St. Albans. 

Surface. The northwestern pp.rt is generally level ; 
the central parts are gewily diversified with swells, hills, 
and vallies,''While^the eastern parts rise into mountains- 
Jay peak, which" is on the east line of the county, is 
the most lofty summit, and has been found by barome- 
trical measurement to be 392S feet above lake Cham- 
])la.in. 

How is Fraiiklia co. siLiiated .?— boiiacled ?— extent's si. ire town?— sciviare miL^s ? — 
number of towns? what is said ol the surface 7— of JaypeakHIow Vvatered .' what 

15 



170 GEOGRAPHY BY COUXTiES. 

Rivers. This county is watered principally by Mis- 
sisco river and its branches. Lamoille river waters a 
portion of the southern part. The other principal 
streams are Trout river, which joins the Missisco at 
East Berkshire and Black creek, which enters it in 
Sheldon. These and many of the smaller streams af- 
ford numerous and excellent mill privileges. The most 
important water falls, and greatest amount of water 
power, are iii Missisco river in Swanton and Highgate. 

Springs. There are several sulphuretted hydrogen 
springs in the western part of the county, the most 
noted of which is in Highgate. Here excellent accom- 
modations are provided, and, during the summer, it is 
a place of considerable resort for invalids, who are of- 
ten benefitted by the change of air, agreeable scenery 
and the medicinal waters. 

Ponds. There are several natural ponds in the coun- 
ty, the most important of v/hich are Smithfield pond, 
or Fairfield lake, in Fairfield, and Franklin pond in 
Franklin. The former is about three miles long and 
discharges into Black creek. The latter is about the 
same size and discharges into Pike river, which is 
formed in Berkshire, and empties into the north end of 
Missisco bay in Canada. Metcalf pond in Fletcher is 
about a mile long and half a mile wide. 

Curiosities. Over a stream in Georgia, called Stone- 
bridge brook, there is a natural bridge which is about 
12 feet wide. In many places the cliffs, at a consider- 
able distance from the lake and many feet above it, 
show the action of the arm of the sea that once occu- 
pied the valley of lake Champlain, they having potholes 
evidently worn out by the action of waves. One of 
these in the north part of Highgate is in the form of a 
cave extending into the rocks in a horizontal direction 
about SO feet. 

falls! Gprin^s?— what is taid of Highgate sprine'? What ponds? What natural 
fcridge 7— pe'.holes ?~cavc 1— what the rocks liear Highgate fpriogs.'—oM i.ie 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 171 



Geology. In the vicinity of the medicinal spring in 
Highgate is a patch of Trenton limestone containing 
fossils, but the rock which forms the shore of the lake 
through most of this county is black slate in which no 
fossils have been found. In many places it comes out 
in thin wedge form and laminated masses, which are 
so highly glazed as to give them the appearance of an- 
thracite coal. This is particularly the case in the west- 
ern part of Highgate, and, deceived by this appearance, 
persons have expended a considerable amount there 
in making excavations with the vain expectation of 
finding coal. 

Adjacent to the black slate, and between it and the 
red sandrock formation, are beds of very pure lime- 
stone. These, in Georgia, St. Albans, and Swanton, 
are burned into veiy excellent quicklime. In the latter 
town it is sufficiently compact to be sawed for marble, 
which takes a good polish, but is rather deficient in 
strength. 

East of this limestone the red sandrock series ex- 
tends from south to north through the county, but has 
been subjected, in many places, to very great disturb- 
ance. In some places, as in Georgia and St. Albans, 
the stratification, and dark red, or chocolate hue, is well 
exhibited ; but in other localities, particularly in High- 
gate, it appears as a light gray quartz rock, in some 
places stratified and arenaceous, but in others exceed- 
ing compact and fine-grained, approaching almost to 
chalcedony. In Highgate, about half a mile from Sax's 
mills on Rock river, the red sandrock, which is there 
well characterized, contains great numbers of fossils, 
though they arc somewhat obscure. They appear to 
consist of the shields of trilobites. 

All to the eastward of this series, which occupies 

shore ■?— What is said of the glazed slate 7— what limestone ? What said of it ? 
of the red sandrock 7— what fopsils in it 7— where 7— what the rocks to the east- 
ward?— what the strike and dip of iho strata 7 Where is there a synclinal axis? 



172 GLOGRAPHY BY CODXTIE3. 

only the towns bordering on the lake, may be denomi- 
nated a region of talcose slate. In this there is, how- 
ever, considerable variety, and in some places it would 
be called clay slate, in others mica slate, in others chlo- 
rite slate and in others quartz, but far the greater por- 
tion would be called talcose slate. Through the west 
part of R-ichford and Montgomery there is a narrow 
range of plumbaginous slate. 

All the rock in the county have their strike, averag- 
ing about 20°, to the east of north. Through the cen- 
tral parts of Berkshire, Enosburgh and Bakersfield, 
there is a synclinal axis, the strata being there verti- 
cal; on the west side of which all the strata dip to the 
east, and on the east side of which they dip to the 
w^est; those lying nearest the axis having the greatest 
dip. 

There is no limestone found in the county to the 
eastward of the towns bordering on the lake, except- 
ing two small beds of white saccharoid limestone — one 
in Bakersfield, and the other in Richford. 

Ores. Iron ore is found at several places in this coun- 
ty. Red hematite is found in considerable quantities 
in Fairfield, Sheldon, and Berkshire, the localities ly- 
ing nearly in the direction of the strike of the rocks. 
There were formerly works at Sheldon where this ore 
was "vrrought. Bog ore has also been obtained in con- 
siderable quantity in Highgate near the Springs. 

Minerals. Epidote abounds in the rocks in the cen- 
tral parts of Berkshire. Sulphate of barytes and actyn- 
olite are found in Richford ; and fossil leather and 
mountain cork are found in S wanton. 

Soil and Productions. The soil of this county is in 
some parts light and sandy, but is gen«rally of veiy 
good quality. A large part of Highgate and Swanton 
was originally covered with excellent pine timber. 

What is a pynclinial axi«7 What limestone in the eastern part ? What ores are 
found t What minerals J Wiiat id said of the soil ?— of pin« timber ]— of fruit 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 173 



Horses, - 


- 4^427 


Cattle, - 


- 26 965 


Sheep, 


- 87,385 


Swine, 


- 8,935 


Wheat, bush.j 


- 48.686 


Barley, " 


- 599 


Oats, " 


- 94,700 



Most kinds of grain, grass, and culinary vegetables 
flourish well in all parts of the county, but for some 
reason, not very well understood, fruit trees do not 
succeed at all in the valley of Missisco river. 
The following were the statistics in 1840: — 

Uye, bush., 10,144 

Buckwheat, " - 9,603 
Indian Corn, " - 65,534 
Potatoes, " - 709,S96 

Hay, tons, - 61,262 

Maple sugar, lbs., 400.775 
Wool, - " ' - 225,802 
Building Materials. There are some pretty good 
quarries of building stone in the western part of the 
county, but the talcose slate formation of the central 
and eastern parts, furnishes few good building stone. 
Clay and sand suitable for bricks are found in various 
parts of the county. In Fairfax there is a bed of crys- 
taline siliceous sand, suitable for the manufacture of 
glass. 

Pursuits. The people are nearly all engaged in agri- 
culture. It appears that, in 1840, the number of per- 
sons engaged in commerce was 81, in manufactures 
and trades 636, and in the learned professions 106. 

Villages. St. Albans is the shire town, and St. Al- 
bans village is the most important in the county. Be- 
sides the county buildings it contains an academy, a 
congregational, an episcopal, and a methodist church, 
a bank, and the usual variety of taverns, stores, and 
mechanics shops. The other most considerable vil- 
lages are Swanton, Highgate, Sheldon, East Berkshire, 
and St. Albans bay. 

Education and Schools. The number of school dis- 
tricts is 195, in 185 of which the number of children, be- 



trees 1 How many horescs ?— cattle ? &c. what is said of building materials .' 
—of clay and sand 1 — of rursui'is 1— of villages .'—of schools 1— What scmina- 

15* 



174 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

tween four and 18 years of age, are 8514, baing an ave- 
rage of 46 scholars to a district. 

There is a flourishing academy at St. Albans, and 
two flourishing seminaries in Bakersfield. 

History. Previous to the conquest of Canada by the 
English, in 1760, there was a settlement of French and 
Indians at Swanton Falls, consisting of about 50 huts. 
They had cleared some land on which they raised corn 
and vegetables, and had built a church and sawmill. 
and they continued to have possession here up to the 
close of the revolution. 

The first permanent settlement within the county 
was made, in 1783, by Broadstreet Spaflford, and his 
two sons, Nathan and Asa. They emigrated from Pier- 
mont, N. H., and settled in the town of Fairfax. 

There was a settlement commenced in St. Albans, 
about the beginning of the revolution, but it was soon 
abandoned on account of the w^ar, and the settlers did 
not return to that tow^n till 1785. The first permanent 
settlement of Georgia was effected in 1784. 

When Addison county was formed in 1785, it em- 
braced all the territory on the west side of the Green 
Mountains to the northward of Rutland county. After 
the formation of Chittenden county, the territory to 
the northw^ard of Addison county was embraced in 
that, till 1792, when the present county of Franklin was 
formed, and restricted to very nearly its present limits. 

ries mentioned 7 What early settlement is mentioned ? When and where was 
the first permanet settlement 1 When was Georgia settled 1— St. Albans ? In 
In what counties was this lormerly embraced .' V/hen incorporated as a separate 
tcunty ? 



GRAND ISLE COUNTY. 



175 



VII. GRAND ISLE COUNTY. 



Incorporated, Nov. 9. - 1802 
First settlement, - - 1782 
Population in 1840, - 3,883 



Number of towns, . - 
Square miles of land, 
Population to square mile. 



Town?. ; Chartered. 


Set- 
t!eJ. 


Orga-;Pop. ini Sq. 
nizedl 1S40. jmilet 


Pop. to :Gr. Lisi.i 
sq. niile.j 1,S17. 


l.Alburgh, 'Feb. 23, 178l|l782'l792l 1,344! 30 

2. Grand Isle, Oct 27, 17791783 | 724 14 

3. Isle la Mott, Oct. 27, 17791785 i 435 7 
i4. North Hero, Oct. 27, 177917831989 716 11 
,5. South Hero,;Oct. 27, 17791783 664,' 15 
I ! 11 3,883! 77 


44 §i $2,533- 
52 j 2,119 
62 689 

65 1,.589 
44 ; 2,3iS 
50 1 9,278 



Situation. Grand Isle 
county is situated in the 
extreme north western 
corner of the state, and, 
with the exception of the 
town of Alburgh, consists 
of islands in lake Cham- 
plain. 

Boundaries. It is bound- 
ed on the north by Canada, 
on the east by Missisco 
bay and lake Champlain, 
and on the south and west 
by lake Champlain. 

Extent. The extreme 
length of this county from 
north to south, is about 28 
miles, and its greatest 
width about 5 miles. The 
area, exclusive of water, 
is only about 77 square 
miles. It is divided into 5a Lake 




Q Missisco R. R Lamoille R. 



When was Grand Isle County incorporated.'— settled •'—population .'—Number 
towns ?— -quare miles .'—population to a tqaare mile ?— fircrt setlled tomx 1— most 
{.opvii<.«6 7- nsost wealthy 1-tJie last settled i— How is iho county situated 1-- 



176 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

townships, but the amount of land is only a trifle more 
than is contained in two ordinary townships of six miles 
square. 

Shire Town. — North Hero. 

Islands. Besides the three large islands called Grand 
Island, North Hero and Isle la Motte, there are several \ 
smaller ones lying to the south and east of these. 
Providence island, Savage's island and Butler's island, 
are among the most important of these, and each con- 
tains 200 acres or more of land. Providence island is 
near the shore of South Plero. They, who escaped 
from the steamboat Phcenix, when it was burned on the 
5th of Septem.ber, 1819, landed on this island. 

Surface. The surface of this county is level and low, 
not rising in any part more than about 200 feet above 
the level of the lake. There are some tracts of land 
so nearly on the level of the lake, as to be too wet and 
swampy to admit of cultivation. One tract of this 
kind extends north and south through Alburgh, anoth- 
er through South Hero, and another, running east and 
west, through the Isle la Motte. 

Streams. These, as might be expected, are all very 
small — no one of them sufficiently large to be a perma- 
nent mill stream. There has been one gristmill, which 
did considerable business, and one or two windmills, 
but the grain raised here is mostly floured out of the i 
county. 

Springs. There are several springs in this county 
which are impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen 
and iron, and are regarded as medicinal. Two of these 
are in South Hero, and one in Alburgh. The latter has 
had some celebrity, and been a place of considerable 
resort for invalids. The water is undoubtedly effica- 
cious in cutaneous affections, and probably in some 
others. 

bounded ?— extent .?— shire town ?— what islands ?— What is said of Providence is- ) 
land 1— of the surface of the County .'—elevation?— swamps ?— streams?— spriiigs? 



GRAND ISLE CODNTY 177 

Geology. All the rocks in this county belong to the 
Champlain group, already described. 

The rock formation of the Isle la Motte, is made up 
elmost wholly of what we have denominated IslelaMotte 
limestone, covered to some small extent in the south 
eastern and north eastern parts with Trenton lime- 
stone. Near the middle of the east side of the island 
is an extensive and valuable quarry of fine black mar- 
ble. No where else in the state can there be found 
w^ithin the same space, so accessable and so large 
quantities of limestone, and so suitable for all the pur- 
poses of sawing, polishing, hammering, and rough ma- 
sonry, and for the manufacture of quicklime, as exists 
in the south half of the Isle la Motte. This same kind 
of limestone occupies a small space along the w^est side 
of North and South Hero. To the east of this, it is 
succeeded, on South Hero and Grand Isle, by Trenton 
limestone, which extends about half way across those 
towns. The rocks of the eastern parts of these towns, 
and of nearly the wiiole of North Hero, and the whole 
of Alburgh, are all either Utica slate, or Hudson river 
shales. 

Dikes. Greenstone dikes are not uncommon in Grand 
Isle and South Hero. They cut across the limestone, 
and slate formation in an east and west direction, run- 
ning very nearly in straight lines, and continuing very 
uniform in width. From one of these in Grand Isle, the 
more perishable rock on each side, has been removed 
or worn away, so as to leave the dike, which is about 
18 inches wide, rising like a wall above the general 
surface of the ground. It was noticed by the early set- 
ters, some of whom thought it to be a work of art. The 
perfect adaptation of every portion of the dike to its 
place' they supposed, however, to indicate skill and in- 

rocks ?-— r»ckp on Isle la Motte ?— of black marble ?— of of south end of Isle la 
Motte? — What east of trenton limestone 7 — What is said of dikes 7— of one in 
Grand Isle ?— of marl ] — of the bed ia Alburgh ] What is said of calcareoua spar 7 



178 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

telligenee surpassing that of the present race of In- 
dians. 

Marl. In this county are several beds of excellent 
shell marl. One of these in the northeast part of Grand 
Isle is more than 100 feet above the lake. Another, and 
the most important one in the county.is in Alburgh. It 
is situated on the north line of that town, extending a 
little over it into Canada, and is but little elevated above 
the lake, and yet sufficiently so to be effectually drain- 
ed. The bed extends over a level tract of about 60 
aicres. The marl rests upon a bed of fine blue clay, is 
where it has been opened, 6 feet deep, and is covered 
by a layer of rich black muck 5 feet deep, the surface 
of which is cleared and cultivated. 

Minerals. The shales. or slates in this county abound 
in seams and beds of calcareous spar, which afford 
fine specimens, which are, for the most part, white, but 
in some places of a beautiful light blue color. They 
also furnish nodules and seams of sulphuret of iron, 
the decomposition of which, in sheltered places, often 
produces an efflorescence of copperas and alum. Fine 
specimeni of hexaedral rock crystals are also found in 
this slate on the east shore of Grand Isle. This slate 
also abounds in some parts in large colcareo-argilla- 
ceous concretions made up of concentric laminae. This 
is particularly the case in the eastern part of Alburgh 
and north east part of North Hero. 

Fossils. These are exceedingly numerous and abund- 
ant in the Isle la Motte limestone, particularly in the 
central part of the Isle la Motte. Columnaria, maclu- 
reas, and orthoceras are the largest and most conspic- 
uous of these fossils. The Trenton limestone also is 
in places almost entirely made up of fossils. This lime- 
stone, in the southern part of South Hero, consists of 
small bivalve shells, and, as it answers very well for 

— of rock crystal 7— of fossils?— what are some of the largest ?(p. 62)— What is 
•aidof theTreaton limestoae ?— What is it cailadl— what shells abouad In thesu- 



GRAND IfiLE COUNTY. 179 

hearths and fire places, it is there called fire stone. In 
the Utica slate trilobites and graptolites are found, but 
sparingly. 

The superficial deposits in many places abound in 
marine shells, such as are now living on the Atlantic 
coast of New England. The most common species are 
the Sanguinolaria fusca, Saxacava riigosa and My a are- 
naria. These are found on the highest land in the 
county, and are abundant on some of the small islands 
in the eastern part. 

The marl beds are composed of fresh water shells 
«uch as are now living in the lake and other waters of the 
State. The most common genera of these are Planor- 
bis, Limnea, and Cyclas. 

Soil and Productions. The soil of this county is of a 
very dark color, being formed of disintegrated slates 
and limestones united with vegetable mould, and in 
many places with a mixture of marine fossil shells. It 
is rery rich, and produces most kinds of grain and vege- 
tables in abundance. In South Hero and Grand Isle 
considerable attention has been giyen to the cultiva- 
tion of fruits ', and these towns produce apples, plums 
and cherries of very fine quality. 

Statistics of 1840 :— 



Horses, 


- 


1,161 


Indian Corn, bush., 


13,816 


Cattle, 


- 


5,463 


Rye, ' " 


9,504 


Sheep, 


- 


- 27,451 


Buckwheat, " 


9,216 


Swine, 


- 


3,179 


Potatoes, - 


76,408 


Wheat, 


bush.. 


- 21,430 


Hay, tons. 


8,593 


Barley, 


u 


1,655 


Maple Sugar, lbs.. 


34,478 


Oats, 


u 


- 43,430 


Wool, " 


57,546 



Pursuits. The chief employment is agriculture. On 
the Isle la Motte the quarrying of marble and building 
stone is an important business. In 1840 there were 16 

perficial deposit ?(p. 47.Vin the marl '(p. 51.) -What is said of the soil ?-- of fruitsf 
—How Biany horses? «kc.— What ie eaid 9i' the pureuits.^— villages 7— What ia 



180 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

engaged in commerce, 84 in manufactures and trades, 
17 in navigation, and 19 in the learned professions. 

Villages. There are clusters of buildings at several 
places in the county; but they are all very small and 
hardly deserve the name of villages. North Hero js 
the shire town. 

Schools. The district schools are the only permanent 
schools in the county. There are 27 school districts in 
15 of which there are 610 scholars between 4 and IS years. 

History. More than 100 years ago, while the French 
had possession of the lake, they erected a windmill on 
what is now called Windmill point in Alburgh. Before 
the revolutionary war, while the British possessed the 
lake, they are said to have had lime kilns, and to have 
burned lime at what is now Fisk's quarry, on the Isle 
]a Motte. During the revolution the British establish- 
ed a military post on North Hero which was not given 
up to the United States till 1796. 

The lands of the county were granted by the govern- 
ment of Vermont just before the close of the war. The 
two largest islands in the county were granted at the 
same time to Ethan Allen, Samuel Herrick, and others, 
who had distinguished themselves in sustaining the 
independence of the State and of the United States, 
and as a compliment to these worthies the islands were 
called the Heros. In 1788 the Heros were divided into 
two towns. North Hero and South Hero. In 1798 South 
Hero was divided into South Hero and Middle Hero. The 
name of Middle Hero has since been changed to Grand I. 

The first permanent settlement was made about tlie 
close of the revolution. Col. Ebenezer Allen, the hero 
of Mount Defiance, was one of the first settlers. He 
settled on the southern extremity of South Hero, which 
is now known by the name of Allen's point. 

eaid of schools ?— When did the French take possession here 1— What did they do ? 
—What was done bv the English ?— What i^ said of the quartz ?— Why called J.e- 
roe3 7— Wiiere was' the first permanent settlement made .'—What ia said of Col. 
Kbenezer Allen ?— What diseases were prevalent .' 



LAMOILLE cour;rT. 



181 



VIII. LAMOILLE COUNTY 



Incorporated, Oclober 26, 1835 
First settlement, - - - 1783 
Population in 1840, - - 10,475 



Number of towns, - - - 12 

Square miles, 431 

Pop. to square mile, - - - 24^ 



Towns. 


Cliartered. 


Set- 
tled. 


Orga- 
nized 


Pop. in 
1S40. 


Sq. 
mile: 


Pop. to 
■q. mile. 


Gr. List. 

1S17. 


1. Belvidere, 


Nov. 4,17911800 




207 


7 


$ 416 


2. Cambridge 


Aug. 13, 178117831785 


1.790 


41 


371 


4.694 


3. Eden, 


Aug. 23,1781 1800 1802 


703 


57 


124 


1,155 


4. Elmore, 


Aug. 21, 1781 '17901792 


476 


36 


13 


851 


5. Hvdepaik, 


Aug. 27, 178];] 787 


1791 


1 ,080 


36 


30 


2,170 


6. Johnson, 


Jan. 2,17924784 




1,410 


36 


39 


2,226 


7. Mansfield, 


June 8,1763] 




223 


2b 


8 


425 


8- JMorrist'n, 


Aug. 24, 1781,1790 


1796 


1,502 


3G 


42 


3,634 


9. Sterling, 


Feb. 25, 17824799 




193 


36 


5-^ 


428 


10. Stow, 


Jnne 8, 1768|l793.1797 


1,371 


36 


38 


3,879 


11. Wat. rville. 


Nov. 15,17244789 




6!0 


15' 


32 


1.176! 


1:2. Wolcott, 


Aug. 22, 1781 




910 


36 


25i 


L651i 








10,475 


431 


24i 


22,705! 




Whpn was LamoilJf> coimtv incorperaterli'—pettlcrl ' .— "ipu^jtinn ''— rn '^l-ef of 
toH-nsr— square miles .?— population to square mile ? W dch town 'wa-' lirst b-i- 
Icd ? -nnost p^ipiik'u? ;— •oi.-l;c.n settled T-most wca.hy •»■ 



182 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIKfi. 



Situation. Lamoille county is situated a little to the 
north of the centre of the State, and is one of the only- 
two counties not having its boundary in part coincid- 
ing with that of the State. 

Boimdaries. It is bounded nortliwest by Franklin 
county, northeast by Orleans county, southeast by 
Washington county, and southwest by Chittenden 
county. 

Extent. It extends about 27 miles from east to west, 
and 26 miles from north to south, containing 431 square 
miles. It is divided into 12 townships. 

Shire Toicn. Hydepark. 

Surface. A large part of this county is uneven, and 
some portions of it mountainous. The most lofty sum- 
mits are the Mansfield mountains, the highest in the 
State, and Sterling Peak. The latter is about 3700 fee- 
above the lake. Eden mountain and Elmore moun- 
tain are conspicuous elevations. Stow and Morris- 
town, although surrounded by mountains, arc two of 
the most level townships in the State. 

Streams. With the exception of Stow and IMans- 
field, whose V\'aters pass by Vv'aterbury river ijito the 
Winooski, the county is watered by the river Liunoille 
and its branches, v\'hich furnish numerous sites for 
mills, and an abundance of water power. The princi- 
pal streams received by the Lamoiile in this county 
are, in Cambridge, North branch oji thenortii side, and 
Brevv'ster's river and Seymour's brook on tlie south side; 
in Johnson, Little Nortli branch, and in Wolcott Green 
river and Wild brauch. all oi\ the north side. 

Springs. There is a mineral spring in Av'olcott. 

Ponds. Natural ponds are very numerous. There 
are not less than 12 in the town of Hydepark, Among 
the most important ponds in tlie county are North pond 



How is T.a.noillo co. sitnatOL] ?— hmimled 7— extent ?-^shire (own '—the ^ut/aoe ■? 
Wiiat Fummits arc mcDiiuiicil ? Wiwt towns ore level? What rivers and 
etreams ?— springs ?~ppnd.s 3— what are the rocks ?--what 13 ia said of the slate < 



LAMOILLB COUSTTY. 183 



in Eden, which is two miles long, and Mead's pond in 
Elmore, which covers about 300 acres. 

Geology. The rocks in this county are all primary, 
and nearly all of them are talcose slate. The slate in 
some parts is considerably chloritic, and should per- 
haps be called chlorite slate, and in other parts, as in 
Sterling and Mansfield, much of it would be called mica 
slate. All the rocks in this county have a very steep 
dip, and in parts of Elmore, Hydepark and Morristown 
the dip is vertical, and their strike is from north 24'=' 
east to south 24° west. In the township of Stow the 
average dip of the rocks is about 70° east. 

There is a range of steatite, or soapstone, passing 
through the county. It shows itself in Eden and in 
Stow. ' Steatite is also found on Sterling mountain and 
in Waterville. At the latter place it is quarried and 
wrought to considerable extent. It is easily wrought, 
and is employed for ovens, furnaces. &c., as a fire stone, 
and is found to answer the purpose well. 

Serpentine rock, as is common in some other parts 
of the State, is found here in connexion with the stea- 
tite. 

There is a small bed of whitish limestone found in 
Johnson, in the talcose slate formation, from which lime 
has been made, and another bed of v/hite saccharoid 
limestone in Waterville. These are the only localities 
of limestone known in the county, and no beds of shell 
marl have been discovered. 

Ores. Iron ore of different varieties has been found in 
several towns in this county ; but has been found in 
greatest abundance and of best quality in Elmore. It 
is found in this town in irregular reins, lying rerj 
nearly in the direction of the strike of the rocks. 

In the northeast part of Morristown there is a vein 
of lead ore {sulphuret of lead) or galena. It is in talcose 

J{ow tloea the slate dipl Where is ihere steatite ?~serpenline I—limestone .'— 



194 ■ GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES- 

ulate on the summit of a considerable hill. The veirij 
or bed, runs in the direction of the strike of the slaite 
^Thich N. 16° E. with a nearly vertical dip. It may be 
traced several rods before it disappears under the soil 
and drift. The seam which is filled, with the lead and its 
gangue, is about 18 inches wide at the surface, but in- 
creases in width downward, as far as excavations have 
been made, which is about 10 feet. This lead ore con- 
tains a small per cent of silver. 

Copper ore has been found in Sterling. 

In Hydepark is a very extensive bed of ochre which 
makes a very good paint. 

Minerals. Fine talc and actynolite are found in the 
steatite, particularly at Waterville. Plumbaginous slate 
is found in Cambridge, which is-used for marking as a 
substitute for plumbago, or black lead. 

Building Materials. The territory embraced in this 
county being throughout a region of talcose slate, does 
not furnish the best material for building stone. Still, 
stone are found in most parts sufficiently compact for 
ordinary purposes. Very good clay and sand for brick 
are met with in several places. 

Soil and Produciions. Several of the towns are broken 
and mountainous, but in the vallies there are many 
fine farms, and the soil is of good quality. Cambridge, 
Stow, and Morristown are excellent farming tovms. 
Stow is one of the most level towns in the State, The 
following are the statistics of 1S40: — 



Horses, 


2,5?7 


Rye, - 


1,604 


Cattle, 


16p55 


Buckwheat, 


763 


Sheep, 


- 40,921 


Indian Corn, 


28.4S3 


Swine, 


7,287 


Potatoes, bush., 


472.563 


Wheat, bush.. 


- 2i;070 


Hay, tons. 


29,616 


Barley, " 


477 


Maple Sugar, lbs., 


295,476 


Oats, - 


- 70,727 


Wool, " 


85,595 



what ores 1— whore is lead ore found?— What does the lead ore contain ?—wlicre 
\^ copper ore found ) Where is ochre found ? What minerals are found 7— what 
w said of buildius materials?— of the soil ]— wliat good farming to wus 1— Uow 



LAMOILLE COUNTY. 185 



Pursuits. The pursuits are almost entirely agricul- 
tural. In 1S40 there were 68 engaged in commerce 
369 in manufactures and trades, and 49 in the learned 
professions. 

Villages. The villages in this county are all small. 
Cambridge, Johnson, Hydepark, Morrisville, and Stow 
are the principal. Hydepark is the shire town. 

Education. The ]iumber of school districts is 119. 
and the number of scholars 3844, averaging 32^ to a 
district. Lamoille Academy was incorporated at John- 
son in 1832. 

History. This county has been formed more recent- 
ly than any" other in the State, having been incorpora- 
ted in 1835, from portions of four previous counties, viz: 
Washington, Chittenden, Franklin and Orleans. 

The first settlement within the county was commen- 
ced in Cambridge, in 1783. The next year, 1784, settle- 
ments were made in Johnson, and soon after in Hyde- 
park and Wolcott. 

nnny Horses ? &c. Vvhat is said of the pursuits ?— of villages?— of education.' 
When and of what was this co. formed ? When and where lirst settled ? 

15* 



1S6 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 



IX. ORANGE COUNTY. 



Incorporated Feb. 

first se1;tlement, - 
Population in 1840, 



1781 

1762 

27,873 



Number of towns. 

Square miles, - 

Pop. to the square mile, 



- 17 

- 185 

- 45i 



TOWNS. 



Towns. 


Chartered. 


Set- 
tled. 


Orga- 
nized 


Pop. in 
IdlO. 


Sq. 1 
miJeS| 


Pop. to 
sq. mile. 


Or. List. 
1847. 


1. Bradford, 


.Tan. 25,17911765 




1,655 


29I 


57 4,848 


2. Braintree, 


Aug 1, 1781 1783 


1788 


1.232 


36 


34 2,863 


3. Brookfield, 


Aug. 5,17811779 




1,789 


36 


49§ 4.533 


4. Chelsea, 


Aug. 4, 1781 


1784 


1788 


1.959 


36 


54.^ 4,976 


5. Corinth, 


Feb. 4, 1764 


1777 


1780 


1,970 


36 


55- 


5,336 


C. Fairlee, 


Sept. 9, 1761 


1766 


1775 


644 


20 


32 


1,906 


7. iSewbury, 


Mar. 18, 1763 


1762 




2,578 


57 


45^ 


7,444 


8. Orano-e, Auff. 11, 1781 


1793 


1796 


98 


36 


''^n 


2,099 


9. Randolph, 


.Tune 29, 1781 




1783 


2.674 


45 


59i 


9,157 


10. Strafford, 


Aug. 12, 1761 




1779 


1,V6 


38 


46i 


5.378 


ll.Thetford, 


Aug. 12, 1761 


1764 


1768 


2,06-'> 


41 


50 


5,339 


12. Topsham, 


.Tune 17, 1763 


17S1 


1790 


1,745 


42 


41i 


3,927 


13. Tunbridgc, 


Sept. 6,1761 


1776 


1786 


1,811 


36 


bOi 


4,738 


14. Vershire, 


Aug. 3, 1781 


178U 


1783 


1,198 


34 


35 


2,980 


15. Wash'ton, 


Oct. 25, 1781 


1785 


1792 


1 ,359 


36 


371 


3,030 


16. W, Fairlee 


Sept. 9, 1761 




1797 


824 


21 


40 


1,.542 


17. William'n, 


Aug. 9,1781 


1784 


1787 


1620 


36 


45 


4,2.54 
74.350 


27,873 


615 


45i 



Situation. Orange county is situated about midway 
between the northern and southern extremity of the 
state, on the east side of the Green Mountains and bor- 
dering on Connecticut river. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Caledo- 
nia and Washington counties, on the east by Connecti- 
cut rivei'. on the south by Windsor county, and on the 
west by Addison and Washington counties. 

Extent. This county extends 34 miles from east to 
west and 23 miles from north to south, and contains 
615 square miles. It is divided into 17 townships. 

When was Orange co. incorporated ? — settled ? — population 1 — town? ? — square 
j^iles 1 — per.>ons to a square mile 1 — what town first settled l — first on,'anized 7— 
mojit populous ?— most wealthy ]— How is Orange co. siiuatedl— bounded?— ex- 
tciu ?— square miles ]— towns ? 



OHATTGE COUNTY. 



187 




A Connecticut River. I Oaapompoaotsuc Rirer. J Waits River. 

Shire Town. Chelsea. 

Surface. The surface is generally uneven and hilly, 
but no where rises into mountains. That branch of the 
Green Mountain range, which is called the height of 
lands, passes through the western part of the county, 
but presents no prominent summits. 

Streams. The streams in this county are numerous, 
but none of them large. The principal streams in the 
eastern part are Ompomponoosuc river and Wait's river. 
Well's river joins the Connecticut, in the northeast cor- 
ner, but derives its waters chiefly from Caledonia coun- 
ty. The southwestern parts are watered by the 1st, 
2nd., and 3rd branches of White river, and the north- 
western part by Steven's branch, which joins Winoos- 
ki river in Berlin. 

Falls. The falls in Wells river at Newbury, in Wait's 
river at Bradford, and the OmpomponoosuCj at Thet- 

fcliirc (own 7— surface .'—slvcauis ?— lulls ?— pomlj ?— pickerel ? \V'ia( Is eaid of 



183 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

ford, furnish a considerable amount of water power, 
and there are other good sites for mills in different 
parts of the county. 

Ponds. Fairlee lake, lying between Fairlee and 
West Fairlee is the largest body of water in the coun- 
ty. It is two miles long and three quarters of a mile 
wide. 

In 1S09, Samuel Morey, transported some pickerel 
into the lake, from a pond, in New-Hampshire. Since 
that time pickerel have multiplied here very rapidly, 
and they are regarded as of superior quality for the ta- 
ble. 

There are other ponds in Newbury, Bradford, &c. ; 
but they are all small. 

Springs. There are several medicinal springs in this 
county, the waters of which are impregnated with sul- 
phuretted hydrogen. The springs at Newbury have 
been longest known, and most celebrated, having 
been more or less resorted to by invalids, since the 
first settlement^ of the country. Other similar springs 
exist in Tunbridge and Williamstown, which are also 
favorite places of resort, in the summer season. 

Curiosities. In Wright mountain in the west part of 
Bradford, there is an interesting cave in which are sev- 
eral apartments. It is known as the Devils Den. In 
Thetford, there is a pond covering about 9 acres, 
which is less than ten rods from Connecticut river, 
but elevated 153 feet above that stream. It has no vis- 
ible inlet or outlet. It is deep, having been sounded 
more than 50 feet. It contains perch and dace. 

Geology. The rocks of the greater part of this coun- 
ty, belong to the talco-mica slate formation. In a small 
portion of the western part, they are of the talcose-slate 
formation. Next east of this, through Randolph, 
Brookfield and Williamstown. in the calcareo-mica slate 

sprinsr 7 What curiosities? Describe the pond? Wliat is the rock fovmaiiont 
Where is ihere taito.-'e slate? Clay slate 7 What is s^iid oi ilifreafiurn par' ?*- 



OHANGL: COUiNTY. 189 



formation there is an unusually large developement of 
clay slate. The eastern part of the county is very 
broken, and next to Connecticut river, there are, in 
several places, high perpendicular precipices. 

The rocks in the norih^vestern part, and extending 
thence towards the centre of the county, are gran- 
ite. 

Ores. Iron ore has been found in this county in many 
places, but is known to exist in large quantities only in 
the state of sulphuret of iron, or iron pyrntes. The most 
remarkable bed of this ore, is in the southeast cornerof 
Strafford, and from this bed, v/hich is reckoned inex- 
haustible, 1000 tons of copperas are annually manufac- 
tured for market, where it sells for about $2 per hun- 
dred weight. 

Copperas is sulphate of iron. Sulphate of iron is 
iron combined with sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid, is 
sulphur combined with ogygen. Sulphuret of iron is 
sulphur combined with iron. It is usually of a yellow 
color, resembling brass, and has sometimes been mis- 
taken for gold, and hence it is often called FooVs 
Gold. 

The following is briefly the process of manufacturing 
copperas at Strafford. The sulphuret of iron is blasted 
from the bed, and is broken into small lumps and par- 
ticles, with hammers. It is then thrown into heaps, 
where it ignites by exposure to air and moisture or is 
set on fire. The combustion continues about two' 
months, during which time the sulphujf combines with 
the ogygen of the atmosphere, forming sulphuric acid, 
and this acid combines with the iron, forming sulphate 
of iron, or copperas. This crude copperas, mingled 
with earthy matter, is then leached, and the lye evapo- 
rated to such a consistency that a large proportion of 
the copperas will ciystalize as the liquid cools. After 

Where is iron ore fonud? What kinin What is made from it 1 How much 1 
What, is copperaoJ What eulphato ol" irou } What sulphuric acid? What U 



i'OO GHOGRAriiY BY COUNTIES, 

the crystaiization is completed the liquid is drawn ofi" 
and the copperas dried and packed in casks for market. 

Copper ore (suiphuret of copper) is found at Straf- 
ford in connexion with the suiphuret of iron in consid- 
erable quantities, but in greater abundance and purity- 
farther north in the town of Corinth. 

In 1S29 a furnace was erected at Strafford for smel- 
ting the ore for the copper; but it was not found to be 
profitable, and after a few" years, the business was aban- 
doned. Considerable quantities of the Corinth ore have 
been transported to Boston. 

A specimen of the copper pyrites from Corinth was 
analyzed by Mr. Olmsted, with the following results. 

Copper, -------------- 27.'2S 

Iron", --------------- :}7;91 

Sulpliur, -------------- 3o.70 

Silica ajid inica - ----------- 1,11= lOQ, 

Thei-e is a small vein of lead ore (suiphuret of lead) 
in Thetford. 

Marl. There are small deposits of marl in Brook- 
field, Randolph, and Tunbridge, but the most valuable 
deposit of marl in the county, and perhaps the most 
valuable in the state is in Wiiliamstown. It is from 6 to 
18 feet deep, and slightly covered with a dry soil. 

This marl is white and very pure, yielding by anal- 
ysis : 

Carbonate of lime, ----- -_-_--S9 

Carbonate of magnesia, ---- ----- 42 

Silica, with traces of o.x.of iron ain: alumina, - - - 10 
Water and organie maiier, - _ - _ - _ - 55=^90,7 

Large quantities of very excellent quicklime, arc 
made from this bed. The marl while in a state of paste, 
is made into the form of bricks, and, after drying is ar- 
ranged in the kiln, in the manner of arranging bricks 
for burning, and is then burned by means of a fire pla- 
ced beneath. 

Minerals. Kyanite. rock crystal and garnet, are quite 

Vif-'^uT-et of iron? V/h.at docs it resemble'? Describe the pr'><-e«P of niakinj' 
covtrre.-aa 1 What is said of copper ore > What was done in L^J'.i .' ^^ l«-it is eai.1 
o 'ihe ore at Corinth ?- What percent 01 copv.er ? Where is lead found ?-marI 7 
of Williamsiowii btid ?— its analysis ?— how prepared ior .luici^hmc .' W hat jnio - 



ORANGE COLXTY. 191 



common in Thetford, and also bpautifui cla3\ston(;&. 
Mispickel is found in abundance in the west part of 
Brooklield, 

Building Mater Icds. Good granite for building stone, 
is found in various parts of the county, and good clay 
and sand for bricks are also common. 

Soil and Productions. The soil of this county is ffene- 
rally of a very good quality, particularly when it is for- 
med by the disintegration of the clay slate and blue 
limestone, of the calcareo-mica slate t'ormation. whick 
is the case in Randolph, Brookfield and Williamstown. 
The following are the statistics of 1S40; 
Hordes - - - 6,074 Rye '• ~ - 12 933 
Cattle - - - 36,853 Buckwheat, busli. m.VU 
Sheep - - - 156.053 Indian Com, •• - 120.a43 
fSwine - - - 22,516 Potatoes, ' •'- 1,055.379 
Wheat, bush. ~ 69.565 Ha}^. tons - - _' 73.004 
Barley " _ . _ 5,265 Maple sugar, lbs. -420J339 
Oats " - - 254.S7S Wool, ""'••- 311.674 
Pursuits. The pursuits are generally agricultural. In 
1840, there were 132 engaged in commerce, 853 in man- 
ufiictur0s,and trades. and 1Q6 in the learned professions. 
Rail Roads. The Central rail road passes throuo-h 
the western part of the county, and the Passumpsic road 
tlirough the eastern part. 

Education. The number of school districts is 273 and 
the number of children between 4 and IS years of age, 
S0S6, or 33 1-2 to a district. There is an academy at 
Randolph; and one at Bradford, and there is a flourish- 
ing seminary at Newbury under the patronage of the 
Methodists. Randolpli academy is one of the oldest in 
the state. It was establisljed in 1806. 

Villages. Tbe principal villages are in Randoi])li. 
Chelsea, Newbury, Thetford and Williamstown. The 
county buildings are in Chelsea.. 

History. The first civilized inhabitants in this coun- 



^rals? — buildiii? niatorial — the soil ? Ilorsos? «tr.— (ho pnrsints ?— mil ro.mU* 
,«dioo.i ili-jtrici" "? ScJiolars?— ncat-'ciuio*?— viilag-es ? \Vlion u-ns tliti .s/^rrji-nu'-ifi 



192 



GrOGRAriiY r.Y CCrNTIE3. 



ty, settled at Newbury in 1762. The Indians had for- 
merly resided here in considerable numbers, and the 
place was called by them Coos. They had made large 
clearings on the intervales, which were overgrown wilth 
coarse grass, when the vrhites began their settlement 
here. Their implements, manufactured out of stone, 
are often found in the vicinity at the present day. 

Newbury was the chief place in Vermont on the east I 
side of the mountains to the northward of Westmin- \ 
ster, during the revolution, and was garrisoned by one 
or more companies of soldiers. Gen. Jacob Bailey and ; 
Col. Tliomas Johnson, vrere among the first settlers of j 
this county. 



X. ORLEANS COUNTY. 



Incorporated, Nov. 5. - ]7i)2 
First settlement, - - - JTc'd 
Population in J 840, - -13,634 



Number of tovvus. 
Square miles, - - - 
Pop. to the square mile, 



20 



TOWNS, 



Town?. 


ChartcreJ. , S; 


Oi-i;a ;i 
iiizefi, 


'op. iji 
1840. 


Sq. jPop. t.. 
miles^sq. milt 

36| 25i 


1-;;. 
I,4,.T 


1. Albany, 


.raneS6, 17tr2i799 


1806; 


92u 


2. Barton, 


Oct. 20, 1 780' J 79,- 


1798| 


892 


361 


24? 


2 '- > 


3. Biown'lon, 


Oct. 2, 179G;180(; 


1 


486 


31 1 


ir,? 


<■/ 


4. Coventrv, 


Nov. 10,1780| 1805 


1SC6: 


731 


36| 


20^ 


1,: r 


5. Charrton, 


Oct. 2.S, 17844 800 


18031 


786 


35 1 


22h 


l,r 


6. Craftsbury, 


Au<:.23, 178j'l788 


1792: 


3,151 


2G 


32 


2 ■'. :-; 


7. Derbv, 


Oct. 29, 1779'l7S;n 


17981 


1.681 


3& 


46 


3.C95 


8. Glover, 


Nov. 20, 1783! 1797 


1 


1,119 


36: 


31 


2,139 


9. Greens'ro, 


AuL'.20, 1781 I7bj. 


1792| 


883 


3(ii 


24* 


2,074 


10. Holland, 


Oct. 26, 1789' 1800 


18051 


G05 


36; 


17 


787 


11. Irasburoh, 


Feb. 23, J 781 1798 


1803| 


971 


36; 


27 


1,796 


12. Jay, 


Nov. 7,17921 


1 


308 


361 


if, 


391| 


13. Lowell, 


.Tune 7, 1791jlSC6 


ISlSj 


431 


61 


7 


923h 


14. Morgan, 


Nov. G, 1780,1800 


I807i 


422 


31 1 


vA 


63S| 


15. Nevvnort, 


Oct. 30, 18021 


1 


591 


36 


KA 


893l 


16. Salem, 


Aug 18, ]78M7.9f 


1822! 


290 


27l 




42n 


17. Troy, 


Oct. 13, 1792;180C 


1802^ 


8.-6 


36. 


030 


^ nil 


18. VVcstfield, 


May ir,, 178011799 


1802 


370 


36j 

3e! 


10-} 


861I 


19. Westmoio, 


Aug.l7, 1781j 




122 


3^ 


255P 


Cover.iry Cure. 


• . . . 1 . . 

t 


- * 1 


10 


! 






;i,6.'?4 


689J 


20 


27. 021 



ORLEANS COrXTY. 



193 




Situation. Orleans county is situated in the north 
■part of the state, midway between lake Champlain and 
Connecticut river and bordering on Canada. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Canada, 
/east by Essex county, south by Caledonia and Lanioillo 
counties, and west by Franklin county. 

E.vtent. Tiie length of the county from north to south 
is about 38 miles, and its width, from east to west, 30 
miles, containing 689 square miles. It is divided into 
19 towmships, and one small gore. 

Shire Toion. Irasburgh. 

Surface. The surface of this county is uneven, and 
the western parts mountainous. The most elevated 
summit is Jay Peak, on the line between Jay and Rich- 
ford. Derby is the most level township, and there are 
but few handsomer or better townships in the State. 
The large svv'ell of land on which Craftsbury common 
is situated is a beautiful and excellent tract of k- n 1 ; 
and there are some handsome flats along the rivers in 
dilfereiit parts 'of the county. Tne tol lowing heights 
tibove the sea are deduced from the canal survevs made 
by De Witt Clinton, in 1825 :— 



IVrVi is Oiipans Go. f^ituntcd.'— bomidci ?— extent?— shire towa?-the surface ? 
17 



a94 Cfi^GRA'PHY EY COU^^TiES. 

Memphremagog lake, (estimated) 600 feet. 
Salem pond.'Salem, ' - - 872 •' 

Pensioners pond, Charleston. 1045 •' 
Mill dum. Black river, Irasburgh, 723 " 
Elligo pond, Craft.sbury, - 797 '• 

Craftsbury common, - - 1153 " 
Crystal or Belle pond, Barton, 837 " 
Willoughby lake, Westmore, 1065 '•' 

Mt. Hor and Mt. Pisgah, in Westmore, rise from tin- 
margin of Willoughby lake. The highest is probably 
1200"feet higher than the lake, or 2250 fee't above the 
sea. 

Streams. These are very numerous, and for the most 
part discharge their waters into bike Memphremagog. 
The western part is watered by Missisco river, wliich 
is formed by the union of several streams in Lowell, 
and runs north through the corner of Westficld. and 
•through Troy into Potton in Canada. The remaining 
part of the county is watered principally by Black, Bar- 
ton and Clyde rivers. The streams which issue from 
the ponds in Holland, pass through Stanstead. and fall 
into Masuipp4 lake in Hatlcy, Canada. 

•^\il(s. The most interesting water-fall is in Missisco 
river, in the northern part of Troy. 

Ponds. Beside.s lake Memphremagog, about one-tliir'l 
of v/hich lies in this county, the ponds are nnmerons, 
and several of them are of considerable size. Tht- 
most important are Willoughby lake, in Westmore, 6 
miles long and 1 1-2 wide; Crystal or Belle pond, in 
Barton, 3 miles long and 1 1-2 wide ; Seymour's lake, in 
Morgan. 4 miles long and 2 wide ; Saiem pond, partly 
in Salem and })artly in Derby, and Elligo and Hosmer's 
ponds, in Craftsbury. There Was formerly a pond on 
the line between Greensborough and Glover, which was 
1 1-2 miles long, and was called Long pond, and was 
the head of Lamoille river. On the 6th of June, 1810, 
some persons undertook to open a channel at the north 
end in order to draw off water for the better supply of 
a mill on Barton river. The bank proved to be a light 
loose sand, and as soon as the water commenced run- 
ning in that direction it immediately opened an im- 

hichest point?— most level towns ?— what swell mentioned .'—heights?— what 
p'rtams ? Where is Missi?co river formed .' How am the diiTcicnt pans waierpdi' 
What falls? What lakes and ponds ? What i? ?aid of Runway pond ? With 



ORLEANS COCKTY. 195 



iiiense chnniiel by which all tlie waters of the pond 
were discharged in a few minutes leavine: its bed bare. 
This bed is now known by the name o[ JRimawaypo/id. 
A small stnnim runs from it to the north, forming the 
head branch of Barton river. 

Many of the ponds in this county are well stored 
with trout. Trout (long<?) have been taken from a pond, 
in Charleston, weighing more than 40 lbs.; and, in 
Glover, weighing 25 lbs. 

Curiosities, in the nortJiwestern part of Greensbo- 
rough are several blocks of granite wliich may be re- 
garded as curiosities, (See page 75.) Willoughby lake 
and the scenery around it, are also objects of much 
interest. 

Geology. All the rocks in the county are primitive 
excepting the granite. The rocks along the western 
margin are talcose slate. ?\ext east of this are ranges 
of steatite and serpentine commencing in the central 
part of Lowell, and extending north through Westfield 
and Troy into Canada. To the southward of Lowell 
the talcose slate is succeeded on the east by clay slate 
belonging to the calcareo-mica slate formation, which 
together with the granite occupies all the central and 
eastern parts of the county, excepting a small portion 
of the eastern part, where a siliceaas slate is found. 

The granite appears in interrupted ranges extend- 
ing nearly in the direction of the strike of the stratified 
rocks, which is a little to east of north. The most west- 
erly range of granite appears in Craftsbury, Irasburgh, 
and Derby. Most of the summits in the southern and 
eastern part of the county are granite, while the lower 
lands and swells are of the calcareo-mica slate forma- 
tion. The mountain in Barton, northeast of Crystal 
pond. Mount Ilor and Pisgah, in Wcstmore, &c., are 
granite. 

Dike.'?. Dikes are met witii at several places in this 
county, but they differ very mucli in their character, 
being some of them greenstone, others resembling stea- 
tite, others white quartz. &c. The swell of land on 
which Craftsbury common is situated abounds in dikes. 
Dikes of all the kinds mentioned above are found here. 
In the northwestern part of Albany there is a green- 

wliat arc ilie ponds stored? — how large? What curiofi lies? "What is said of the 
rocks ? In the wc?tprn part r— noriircast?— the c«ntral and eastern part ? Wiiat 
is said of tlie granite? What is caid of Dikes.' Wkcre do they abound ? What 



196 GEOCnAI'IIY UY COUNTIES. 



stoiie dike. 4 feet wide, in clay slate, which disinteg- 
rates into round masses ab'out the size of a musket 
bullet. There are also interesting dikes in Greensbo- 
rough. Brownington. and Troy. 

Alarl. Shell marl i.-i found at several places in that 
part of the county occupied by the calcareo-mica slate 
formation. Beds occur in Albany, Graftsbury, Derby, 
Holland, Glover, and probably in other towns. Sonio 
of these beds properly burned would make tolerably 
good lime. There is no limestone in the county ex- 
cepting the blue limestone of the calcareo-mica slate 
formation, which is too siliceous to make good quick- 
lime. 

Oreff. Iron is the only metal ic ore known to exist 
here in much quantit}^ This is found in the state of 
oxide of iron and of chromic iron. 

A very large irregular bed or vein of the oxide of 
iron was discovered several years ago in Troy, in ser- 
pentine rock. Iron works have been erected here at' 
considerable expense, and a large amount of iron has 
been manufactured, but it contains titanic acid, and is 
found to be so difficult an ore to work, that it has not 
hitherto been wrought to any profit to the proprietors. 

The analysis of this ore gives, 

Peroxide of iron, 81.20 

Protoxide - 13.37 

Titauic acil, 4.10 

Silica, 1.33 

It jieldsC2 l-;?per ceat of metal iron, UK) 00 

The principal veins of cliromic ore are found in West- 
field and Jay. They are in Serpentine rock ; and in 
Jay some of the veins are two feet wide, and so situat- 
ed that the ore can be easily obtained from them in 
an}^ quantity desired. 

This ore contains 

Gr«en oxide of chromitini, 49.00 

PrtHexide ©f iroa, - 48 14 

Alumina, (and trace of K«lica and magnesia), .... .3.14 

This or» has been worth in market almost as much 
as manufactured iron. It is not used for the manufac- 
ture of iron, but of paints, such as chrome yellow and 
chrome greer. 



is 8aid of marl ? — limestone ? What ores 1 Troy ore ? Where is chromic iron 
i'juadl — io what ?~uf wimt duos the ore coiwist ? — for whatus^d? What ia 



ORLEANS eODNTT. 197 



Minerals, No county in the State furnishes a more 
interesting variety of minerals than this. Along the 
valley of Missisco river, besides the talcose slate, stea- 
tite and serpentine, and the titaniferous and chromic 
iron already mentioned, there are found fine specimens 
of precious serpentine, different varieties of amianthus 
and asbestus, schorl and some other minerals. At 
Craftsbury east village there is a formation of granite, 
rendered very singular] by containing flattened balls 
of mica, usually near an inch in diameter, scattered 
through it like plums in a pudding. It is generally called 
nodular granite. The nodules or balls are made up of 
concentric laminae of mica, separated by a thin layer 
of quartz. In Derby are found caJcareous tufa and a 
clay resembling fuller's earth. Plumbago and fine 
crystals of schorl are found in the eastern part of Glover. 
Novaculite is found in an island in Memphremagog 
lake, and extending south to Irasburgh. It makes good 
hones, and has been manufactured and sold under the 
name of Mag-og Oilstone. 

Building Materials. Granite is the most important 
building stone, and it is found plentifully and of good 
quality, either in place or in boulders, in all parts of 
the county excepting, perhaps, a small portion of the 
north western part. Good clay and sand for bricks are 
less common in this than in some of the other counties. 
Soil and Productions. The soil of the county is rich 
and productive, and there are several very fine larming 
towns. Derby and Craftsbury are two of the best ; the 
former being surpassed by very few in the state. In 
1840, there were in the county : 

Rye. - bushels. - 2.400 
Buckwheat, '• ' - 20,067 
Indian corn. '■ - 20,886 
Potatoes, ' " - 569,855 
Hay, tons, - - 37,291 
Maple sugar, lbs. 507.446 
Wool, '' - 107,480 

PiirsuJ g. The pursuits are almost exclusively agri- 
cultural, in 1S40, 38 were engaged in commerce, 384 
in manufactures and trades, and 51 in the learned pro- 
fessions. 



Horses. 


_ 


_ 


3,462 


Cattle, 


- 


- 


18.299 


Sheep, 


- 


•= 


46.669 


Swine, 


- 


- 


9,750 


Wheat, 


bus 


hels, 


33.315 


Barley, 




" - 


10,997 


Oats, 




:; 


133.301 



Mid of minerals 1 What found in the Mi?';i:>ro valley ? In Craftsbury "? Glover? 
fee \V]:at i? said o.'' nov.?'M!*>ite'» What n -fiid r.f h\iildinf; niaterials 1 S-i' .and 
frorluciiuns ?• Horics: r &r. villatros .' How m^ny echooi dj^tricts ]— i-chokri ' 
ir^ 



198 



GEOCRAPHY BY COUNTIESf. 



Villages. The villages are all small. Tho most im- 
portant are Irasburgb. Craftsbur3'^,Coventry, Barton and 
Derby. Irasburgli is the shire town. 

Education. The county has 161 school districts, 159 
of which contain 5143 scholars between 4 and 18 years 
of age, averaging 32^ to a district. Besides the district 
schools, there have been for several years, three good 
academies, one at Craftsbury, one at Brownington,"and 
one at Derby. 

History. The first settlement within tlie present limits 
of the county, was made in 1788 by Col.Ebenezer Crafts. 



XI. RUTLAND COUxNTY. 



Incorporated, Feb. 
First setrlement, - 
Population in 1840, 



1781 
1761 

30,699 



IN'umber of towns, 
Square miles, - - - 
Pop. to the square milcj 



25 

862 

33 



Towns. 



Chartered. 



Benson, 

Brandon, 

Castleton, 

CJiitten'n, 

Clarendon, 

Danby, 

Fairhaven, 

Hubbard'n, 

Ira, 

Mer:don, 

Middleton, 

Mt Holly, 

Mt Tabor, 

Pawlet, \ 

Pittsfield, ' 

Pittsford, 

Poultney, 

Rutland, \ 

Sherburne,' 

Shrewsb'y, 

Sudbury, ' 

Tinmouth, 

VValling'd, 

Wells, 

W. Haven, 



May 5, 
Oct. 20, 
Sep. 22, 
Mar. K^, 
Sep. 5, 
Aug. 27, 
Oct. 27, 
.Fune 15, 
Nov. 3, 
Feb. 23, 



1780 
1762 
1761 
1780 
1761 
1761 
1779 
1764 
1780 
1731 



Oct. 

Aug. 
Au2f. 
July 
Oct. 
Sep. 
Sep. 
July 
Sep. 
Aug. 
Sep. 
Nov. 
Sep. 
Oct. 



31,1709 

28, 1761 1 
26,1761 

29, 178f 
12, 17C)\\ 
21, 17611 

7, 1761 [ 

7, 1761. 

4, 1763| 

6, 1761! 

15, 1761' 

27,1761; 

15, 17611 

27, 1779! 



Set- 


Or-^ 


[Pop. in 


:<q- 1 


tled. 


nized 


lf>40. 
1,403 


miles 
39 


17S3 


1786 


1 775 j 1784 


2,194 


39 


1770 1777 


1,7m 


39 




644 


48 


17681778 


1,549 


41 


1765; 1769 


1,379 


39 


1779:1783 


633 


27 


1774 1785 


719 


28 


il779 


431 


22 




1806 


545 


25 




1786 


1,057 


241 


1781 


1792 


1,3.56 


441 






226 


39| 


1761 '17G9 


1,748 


391 


17861793 


615 


22; 


1769,1770 


1 ,927 


u\ 


17711 


1,878 


42! 


1770! 


2,708 


17851794 


498 


42| 






218 


44! 






796 


23 


1770 


1777 


780 


29 


1773 


1778 


1,60S 


39 


1768 1773 


740 


28 


1779:1792 


774 


24! 






28,195 


682i 



Pop. to jGr. List, 
!q. mile. 1S47. 



36 
56i 
453I 
13^ 
371 
351 
23t 
25S 
lOi. 
22 
44 
31 
6 
45 
28 
46 
5S| 
64i 
12 
27% 
34i 
27 

4U 
26^ 
32^ 
33 i 



.^4,881 
7,090 
6,119 
1,586 
5,791 
4,780 
2,0.55 
2,067 
1,468 
1,051 
2,6021 
3,337: 
714! 
G,655 
9531 
7.133! 
6.835i 

11,544 
910 
4,314 
2,140 
2.654 
7.433 
1,870 
2,142 

98,124 



RUTLAND COUNTY. 



199 




Sliuaiion. Rutland county is situated mostly on the 
west side of the Green mountains, bordering in part qi\ 
lake Champlain. 

Boundaries. It is bounded an the north by Addison 
county, east by Windsor county, south by Bennington 
county., andwest by Washington county. N. Y., and lake 
Cham plain. 

E.rtent. The extreme length of tills county from 
north to south, is about 42 miles, and its width Si miles, 
with an area of 862 square miles. It is divided into 2.!>-- 
townships. 

Shire 'Town. Rutland. 

Surface. The eastern part of the county is elevated 
and constitutes a portion of the main' range of Green 
mountains, in vrhich are exhibited several important 
summits. The Tacpnic range of mountains and hills, 



How eitaatcd ?— bouudcil ]— extent ?—sUirc town 7--the surface ?— raii^'cs of mouu- 



200 GECGRAPHT BT COUNTIES. 

passes from south to north, a little west of the centre, 
the valley between it and the Green mountains being 
occupied by Otter creek. 

The following are the heights of several points in 
this county, above lake Champlain. 

Shrewsbury Peak, in Shrewsbury, - - - 3996 1't. 

Killington Peak, in Sherburne, ----- 3834 

Railroad summit. Mount Holly - - - - - 1270 

Rutland village,' ----------- 400 

Streams. Otter creek flows through the county from 
south to north, and is the principal stream. Gookui's 
falls, in this stream, near the centre of Rutland, and 
Southerland's falls, near the north line of that town- 
ship, furnish a large amount of available water pow- 
er. The western part of the county is well watered, 
by Hubbardton, Castleton, Pawlet and Poultney 
river. 

Black, White and Otta Q^uechee rivers, all originate 
in the eastern part of the county and flow into Connec- 
ticut river. 

Several of the branches of Otter creek, in this county, 
are important mill streams, among which, are Mill riv- 
er, in Brandon, and Furnace brook, and East creek, in 
Rutland. 

Spriu'^s. The springs in Clarendon, have acquired 
some celebrity, for their medicinal properties, and are 
places of considerable resort during the summer. They 
are situated in the western part of Clarendon, near 
Furnace brook. They contain small quantities of the 
carbonate and muriate of lime, and sulphate of soda, 
and abound in gases, particularly nitrogen, which is 
constantly escaping from the water, in large bubbles. 
They also contain a considerable amount of carbonic 
acid gas. 

Ponds. Ponds are numerous; the most important of 
which are Wells' pond, in Wells, lake Hiram in Wal- 
lingford, and lake Bombazine in Castleton. Wells' pond 
is 5 miles long, and in places, 2 miles wide, covering 
over 2000 acres. Lake Hiram, from its shape, is also 
called Spectacles pond. Lake Bombazine, is 8 miles long 
and its greatest width is 2 1-2 miles. There is an 

tains .'-height 1 -Oucr creek .'—falls 7— What other streams .'—springs 7— what do 
ihey contain ? What ponds ? Describe Wells pond ?— lake Hinom.'— Bombazin.' 



RUTLAND COUNTY. 201 



island in this lake containing about 10 acres, which is 
a favorite place of resort. 

Geology. The rocks of the central part of Rutland 
county, all belong to the Taconic group; having the 
Green Mountain gneiss on the east, aiid rocks of the 
Champlain group on the west. The most easterly- 
towns, particularly vSherburne and.Pittsfield, are princi- 
pally of the talcose slate formation. 

The quartz rock of the Taconic system extends north 
through the towns of^NIount Tabor. Wallingford. Shrews- 
bury, Alendon and Chittenden. ' To the westward of 
this, occupying the valley of Otter creek, lies the 
Stockbridge limestone, extending entirely through the 
county. This limestone furni,«hes marble of excellent 
quality, and in the greatest abundance. 

Q^uarries have.,been opened and extensively wrought, 
particularly in Rutland, Pittsford and Brandon. Som^ 
of the marble in Rutland, and Brandon is suitable foi* 
statuary. 

The green Taconic slate, in Hubbardton is suitable 
for slate pencils, which are extensively manufac-' 
tured from it in Rutland. In Fairhaven there is slate 
suitable for writing slates, and fov roofing, and also 
for the manufactureof slate pencils. Writing slates havd 
been manufactured from it to a considerable extent. ^ 

Fossils. About the first of October, 1848, a fossil 
tooth weighing about 8 pounds, and supposed to be 
the tooth of an elephant, was found in Mount Holly, 
several feet below the surface of the ground, in 
making excavations for the railroad* A few days af^ 
terwaixis a horn, or tusk, was found near the same 
place, which measured about 4 feet in length. If tliese 
are remains of a fossil elephant, they are the first evev> 
Ibund in Vermont, and only a very few have been found 
to the eastward of the Hudson. 

Marl. There is a bed of marl in Benson, near the 
meeting house, covered with muck. 

Orcs^ Brown iron ore isfoundinTinmouth, Walling- 
ford. Rutland, Pittsford, Chittenden and Brandon. The 
most important ore beda have been opened in the three 
towns last mentioned, where the ore is extensively 
manufactured into iron. In connexion with this 

Whai are the rocks in the central part ?--western .'—eastern ?— the quartz 'J„Stoc?> 
bridge iimesioue ? — quarries ?— Taeonic slate ?— of fossils ?— marl T— irou ovsi i«*» 



202 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIEa. 

iron ore, are found large quantities of black oxide rf 
manganese. From Chittenden a large amount of man- 
ganese has been sent to market. 

Minerals, Brown iron ore, oxide of manganese and 
lead or*? have been already mentioned. Besides these 
sulphate of iron abounds in Shrewsbury, and has been 
much worked for copperas. Asbestus is found ii.\. 
Mount Holly, feted and smoky quartz in Shrewsbury, 
and calcareous tufa, in Clarendon, 

Building- Materials. The quarts rock in the northeas-- 
tern part of the county in many places, furnishes an 
excellent building stone. It Vv'as used in constructing 
the jail in Addison county. It is raised in plates so large 
that a single stone is sufficiently large to form the side 
of a cell. 

Soil and Productions. Along Otter creek and in much 
©f the western part, the land is tolerably level and the 
soil rich and productive. In other parts the surface is 
broken, but the lands produce good grass and grain. 
The following are the statistics of 1840. 

Rye, •' - - 38.013 

Buckwheat, bush. 10,850 
Indian Corn, " - 154.792 
Potatoes, " 642.108 

Hay, tons, - lOSJS? 

Maple sugar, lbs. 396 804 
Wool, ' " 653,819 

Pursiiits. In 1840. 6595 persons were engaged in ag- 
riculture, 129 in commerce. 1155 in manufactures and 
trades and 164 in the learned professions. 

Villages. The most important villages are Rutland, 
Castleton and Brandon. Rutland contains tlie county 
buildings, and several churches. 

Education. The number of school districts is 275. 
In 240 of these are 8834 scholars between 4 and 18 )'-ears 
of age, averaging about 37 to a district. The higher 
institutions are "the Castleton IMedical College." the 
Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, and the Bran- 
don Seminary. 

History. The first settlement within this county wa.s 
made in Pawlet in 1761, the same year in which the 
settlement of Bennington was commenced. Before 

mf.nganese ?— lead ore ?— what minerals ? What building stone .' What is ."aid of 
the soil.' How many horses ? «fcc. How many scliool districts-? —.scholars ?-av- 
•rage to a school ? What hi iusiiuitions] When and where was the fir>t 



Horses, 


6200 


Cattle, 


- 40.023 


Sheep, 


- 271.727 


Swine. 


15.563 


Wheat, bush. 


- - 40.116 


Barley, " 


- - '853 


Oats, " - 


- 154.119 



Ri: TLAND COUNTY. 



203 



the revolution, settlements were begun in nearly one 
half of the towns in the county. 

During the war several small forts were erected in 
the county. Two of these situated in Pittsford, and 
called fort Motte and fort Vengeance were the most 
northerly forts lield by the Americans during the revo- 
lution. InHubbardton in this county, a battle was fought 
on the 7th of July, 1777. When Rutland county was 
incorporated in 1781, it embraced all the territory on 
the west side of the mountains to the northward of 
J/5eniiington county. 



XII. WASHINGTON COUNTS. 



rlrtcorporated Nov. ], 
Fir>f. selllement, - - 
Population in 1840, - 



1810 

] 783 

23,506 



Number of towns, - - 
Square miles, - - - 
Pop. to the square mile, 



17 
571 

41 





TOWNS. 










Towni. 1 Chartered. j ^^^^ 


jOrga- 


Pop. 11 

'27l2"6 


34 


I'op. U) 

sq. mile. 




I. Barre, \Nov. 6, 1780 1788 


1793 


621 


-i!»0,092i 


2. Berlin June 8, 1763 1785 


1791 


1,598 


34 


47 


3,969i 


3. Calais, Aug. 15, 1781 1787 


1795 


1,709 


36 


m 


3,5461 


4. Du.\bnry, June 7, 1763 1786 




820 


36 


23 


1,576 


5. Fayston. Feb. 27, 17^:2 1 79& 




635 


34 


I8f 


817 


6. ]Vfc.rslifield.:June22, 1790 1794 


1800 


1 ,1 56 


3G 


32 


2 422 


7. Middlesex. 'June 8, 17631783 


1788 


1,270 


36 


35^ 


3,102 


8. Montpelier.:Aug.l4, 1781 1787 


J 791 


3,725 


3€ 


3 03.i 


Il,.359j 


9. Moretovvn.lJune 7, 17<?3jl790 


1794 


1 ,128 


36 


31. ^ 


2.071 j 


10. Northfield, 


Aug. 10,1781 1785 


1794 


2,013 


39 


.51^ 


4,6n 


11. Plaintield, 


Oct. 27, 1788 1794 


1796 


8.^'^ 


16 


55 


1,9261 


12. Roxbury, 


Aug. 6, 1781 1789 


1796 


784 


36 


22 


1,485| 


13, Waitsfield, 


Feb. 25, 17S2|l789 


1794 


1,048 


28 


^m 


2,.^>39| 


14. Warren, jOct. 20, 1789 


1797 




943 


20 


361 


1 ,603 


!5. Waterbury. June 7, 1763 


1784 


1790 


1,992 


36 


55jf 


5,060 


16. Woodbury. Aug. 10, 1781 






1,092 


36 


30^ 


1,193 


17. Worcester, June 8,1763 


1797 


1803 


587 


36 


m 


1 .052; 








23,506j 571 


41 


54.4231 


settlement 1 What 


said of forts.' \A 


qiat b 


ittle ? 


What 


do yo 


u know 


ibouf it 1 



What the original extent of the en. ■» 

When wa.«i Washinstton co. incorporated .'— Fettled ?— population '—town? .'— 
-Eouare miles f— pop. to a pqnare mile ? — what town fir.«t settled ?— mosi populous 



g04 



GEOGRAPUY BT COefr?TiE«. 




y W ii.uoriki Kiver, 

Situation. Was-hington county lies nearly in \h& 
centre of the state, andmostl)^ between the main rangh 
of the Green Mountains on tlie west, and that range of 
these which strikes oti' to the northeast, called the 
height of lands. 

Boundaries. It is bounded north by Lamoille and 
Caledonia counties, east by Caledonia county, south- 
east by Orange county, south by Addison county 
and west by Chittenden county. 

Extent. This county extends from north to south 
about 34 miles, and from east to west 34 miles, con- 
taining 671 square miles. It is divided into 17 towu-- 
fihips. 

Shire town. Montpelier. 

Surface. The surface is very uneven, and in parts 
mountainous. The Green Mountains extending along 
the western part present in Duxbury, on the line be 
tween this county and Chittenden county, one of their 
loftiest summits, which is Camel's Hump, elevated 408r 



piost wealthy 1 .Vc. 
ehire iuy^u ? wbai 



How i3 Washing.on co. Fitnated ? — bounded ? — extent r- 
iis i-iui 01 the siulaco 1 ^Vhal heights aie given ? ^^ H-f 



\ 



997 




724 




540 




492 




520 




418 


'• 



WASaiKGTOr? COUNT*. t05 

above the sea. A ridge called the Hog Back, extends 
north and south between Waterbury and Middlesex. 
The following are the heights above the sea of some 
points in this county which have been ascertained by 
measurement. 

Camel's Hump, Duxbury, - - ^ 

Rail Road Summit, Roxbury, - 

Rail Road Depot, Northfield, 

State House, Montpelier, 

Mouth of Dog River, Berlin, 

Middlesex Village, (R. R. Grade,) 

Waterbury Village, (R! R. Grade,) 

Streams. This county is watered wholly by Win- 
ooski river, which runs through it in a general wester- 
ly direction; and by its numerous branches. The 
principal branches, which enter the Winooski on the 
north side, are Waterbury river, Little North Branch 
at Montpelier village, and Kingsbury Branch in the 
eastern part of Montpelier. Those entering on the 
southside are Mad river in Moretown and Dog river 
and Stevens Branch in Berlin, These furnish abun- 
dance of water power in ail parts of the county. 

Falls. The most interesting fails in the county are 
in Marshfield, in one of the main head branches of 
Winooski river, and' called the Great Falls. The fall is 
203 feet in about 20 rods. There is a fine view of these 
falls from the stage road leading from Montpelier to 
Danville. The head of the falls is 1059 feet above the 
sea. The falls at Middlesex and Montpelier, are among 
the most valuable for their available water power. 

Ponds. There are several natural ponds in Vv'ood- 
biiry and Calais, but t-hey are mostly small. There is 
also a beautiful pond In Berlin. 

Curiosities. A chasrn v.^orn in the rocks by Winooski 
river at Middlesex village, and another in the lower 
part of Waterbury, called the Natural Bridge are con- 
siderable curiosities. 

Geology. The rocks in this county are all primary, 
excepting the granite, Vvhich abounds in the towns of 
Marshlield, Plainfieid and Barre, particularly the latter. 
Along the western part of tlie county, the rocks are 
talcose and mica slate.. Then comes a range of stea- 
mer waters the county? What its boundaries? What flails 1 Tke height 
»1 the great fall ? What poncl« 7— curiosities f What are the rocke ? Where ui« 
IS 



206 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

tite associated with serpentine. This appears more or 
less in the towns of IVaterbury, Moretown, Waitsfield, 
Warren and Roxbury. To the eastward of this, the 
rocks are talcose and chlorite sIate,to a line along the 
valley of Dog river, through the village of Montpelior 
and through the eastern part of Calais and Yv^oodbur3^ 
This line divides the talcose slate region from that of 
the calcareo-mica slate which lies to the eastward of 
it. The change from one of these formations to the 
other may be seen at the village of Montpelier by com- 
paring the rocks near the state house with those near 
the bridge on the Berlin side of the river, and on the 
east side of the road leading to Northiield. 

There is no limestone known to exist in the county 
to the westward of the line above mentioned, excei3t- 
ing a small bed of white saccharoid limestone in More- 
town. But to the eastward of this line many of the 
strata are calcareous, but they are all too siliceous to 
make good lime for architectural piirpcses. 

The rocks in the western part of the county have a 
steep eastern dip. A little to the eastward of the stea- 
tite range they are vertical, forming a synclinal axis. 
This may be seen from the stage road in the eastern 
part of Waterbury, is the principal, forming the bank 
of the river. All the stratified rocks to the eastward of 
the axis have a steep westerly dip. At Montpelier vil- 
lage the dip is about TO'^ west. The general strike of 
the rocks is from about 22*^ west of south to 22*^ east 
of north. 

The rocks in the eastern part of the county are, to a 
great extent, granite, particularly in the eastenr parts 
of Barre, Plainfield and Marshfield. The granite qu;ir- 
ries in iJarre, furnished the stone of which the state 
house was built. The granite in this county is evident- 
ly more recent than the calcareo-mica slate formation, 
since it frequently contains fragments of slate embed- 
ed in it. The granite, though verj^ irregular, for the 
most pari; extends in ranges in the direction of the 
strike of the stratified rocks. 

Vikef'. Yery few dikes have been observed in this 
ounty. In the rocks which form the Great falls in 
Marshfield, there is a greenstone dip, which is 52 inches 

Fieaiitc and serpeniiine .'' Whore the line betwoen the talcose and calcafes-mira 
Plate lormation 7 What is said of .''iniestone ?— of dip ?--synclinal axis ?— strike .' 
rocks in the eastern part ? What is said ol" the granite ?— dikes?— marl .'—ores? — 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 207 

wide running in the direction of the strike of the rocks 
\vhich is there about 60° east of north. 

Marl. Beds of sliell marl have been opened in Ca- 
lais and Woodbury. They are found here. as elsewhere 
on the east side of the Green Mountains, only on th» 
calcareo-mica slate formation. 

Ores. There is a large bed of sulphuret of iron in 
Woodbury, suitable for the manufacture of copperas. 
Specimens of arsenical iron, are found in Waterbury, 
and also sulphuret of iron, and sulphuret of copper. 
The latter is found in the hoitheast part of the town 
in the seams between strata of talcose slate which 
are there nearly vertical, dipping east 85°. A consid- 
erable excavation has been made, here and several 
tons of the ore raised, but the process was found to be 
oo expensive to warrant its continuance. The com- 
mon varieties of iron ore have been found in small 
quantities at several places. 

Minerals. Lr.rge a. id beautiful specimens of rock 
crystal are found in Middlesex and Waterbury. There 
is also in the north west ptirt of Waterbury, a locality 
of beautiful clnystones. 

Bdildiug Materials. The gi'anite in Barre, and in ma- 
ny other places, where granite occurs in the county, 
furnishes the very best material for building. Blocks 
of it can be obtained of any size or form that may be 
required. The clay slate in tlie calcareo-mica slate 
formation in Beilin, at some localities, is found to an- 
swer tolerably well for rooting slate. Clay and sand 
suitable for bricks, are found in various places, but 
there is no limestone suitable for the manufacture of 
quicklime in the county. The steatite in Moretown, 
and serpentine in Roxbury, furnish materials valuable 
for many purposes. 



Soil and I 


^roduce. 


The soi 


1 generally is rich and pro- 


ductive. 








Horses, 


- 


- 4.360 


Birley, bush. 4.028 


Citlle, 


- 


25.415 


Oati, ■-' 203;294 


Sheap, 


- 


110 392 


Rye, '' . 5,7,3 


Swine, 


- 


12,150 


Buckwheat*' 23.066 


Wheat, 


bush. 


- 41,110 


Indian Cori^k'' 63.108 


Potatoes, 


'' 


697,785 


Hay, tons, - 55,10J 


Maple Sugar, lbs. 


451,348 


Wool, lbs. - - 159.724 



minerals?— of building materials 1— soil } How many hoisas ] &c.— of the i^ut- 



808 •KOSRAPHT BT •©UNTIE*. 



Pursuits. The people are generally employed in ag- 
ricultQre. In 1840, 136 were engciged in commerce, 
1403 in manufactures and trades and 105 in the learned 
professions. 

Education. The county contains 215 school districts, 
in 147 of which there are 5678 scholars between 4 and 18 
years of age. averaging 38^ to a district. There is a 
flourishing academy in Montpelier.* 

Villages. Montpelier is the capital of the state, and 
the shire town of the county. Montpelier village is 
one of the largest and wealthiest villages in Vermont. 
Its principal public buildings are the state house, a 
court house, (probably the best in the state.) two con- 
gregational meeting houses, an episcopal church and 
a methodist chapel. The other villages of most impor- 
tance are Waterbury, Middlesex, Barre and North- 
field. 

History. This county was incorporated, out of terri- 
tory previously embraced in other counties, November 
1. 1810, by the name of Jefferson county, and was or- 
ganized December 1. 1811. The name w^as altered to 
Washington county November 8, 1814. 

The first settlement within tha present limits of the 
county, was made at Middlesex, in 1783, by Mr. Thomas 
Mead. 



XIII. WINDHAM COUNTY. 

f^itication. Windham county lies in the south east cor- 
ner of the state bordering ou Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut river, 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Windsor 
county on the east by Connecticut river, on the south 
by Massachusetts, and on the west by Bennington 
county. 

Extent. It is 36 miles long from north to south, and 
28 miles wide from east to west containing 782 square 
miles. It is divided into 23 townships. 

Shire Town. Newfane. 

Surface. The surface of this county is uneven and 

suits'? How many school l—srholars in 147 districts? What is said of Montpe- 
lier ?— other villages .' Out of what was the co. formed ?— when ?— by what name? 
Tfhen was the name altered ? When and where the settlement commenced ? Hnvr 
is Windham co. eituaied ?— bounded ?— extant ?— shire tetrn 1— what is said of Ui« 
earfftQ* 7 



WINDHAM CODNTT. 



XIII. WINDHAM COUNTY. 


Incorporated, Feb. 1 1, - 1779 


Number of towns, 


. . 


- 23 


First settlement, - - - 17i}4 


Square miles, - 


. . - 


- 782 


Population in 1840, - - 27,442 


Pop. to the square 


mile, - 


- 35 


TOWNS. 




r 

I Towns. 


1 Chartered. 


j Set- 
1 tied. 


!Orga-lPop. ii 
jnjzeijj 1840. 


Sq. 
miles 


'Pop. to 
sq. mile 


Gr. List] 
lcS47. 1 

$1,042 


1. Athens, 


May 3, 178l)jl780 


!l78l 378 


15 


25 


2. Bratileb'h, 


Dec 26,1750 1724 


1 


2,624 


34l 77 


10,565 


3. Brookline, 


Oct. 30, 1794 


1777 


1795 


32t 


11 


30 


8.38 


4. Dover, 


Nov. 7, 1780 






729 


29 


25 


2,121 


5. Dumni'n, 


Dec. 26, 1753 


1 




1,263 


30 


42 


2,994 


6. Graiton, 


Apr. 6,175411780 




1,326 


38 


35 


3.20i 


7 Guilford, 


Apr. 2, 1754il761 




1 1,525 


39 


39 


4,824 


8. Halifax, 


May 11, 1750:1761 


I770| 1,39< 


39 


36 


2,654 


9. Jamaica, 


Nov. 7, 1780:1780 


1781 1,586 


49 


32^ 


3,146 


10. London')', 


Apr. 20, 1780,1774 


1 1,210 


24 


502 


2,164 


1 1. Marlbo'h, 


Sep. 21, 1761 1763 


I775i 1^027 


39 


263^ 


2,744! 


12. Newfane, 


N«v 3, 176! 


1766 


1774' 1,403 


38 


37 


4,528! 


13. Putney, 


Dec .126, 1753 


1744 


1770 


1,-383 


31 


45^ 
55, 


4,475 


14. Rock'gm, 


Dec. "28, 1752 


1753 


1760 


2,330 


42 


8,051 


15. Somerset, 








262 


39 


768 


16. Stratton, 








341 


42 


3^^ 


605 


17. Townsh'd, 


June 20, 1753 


1761 


1771 


1,515 


47 


4,395 


18. Vernon, 


Sep. 5, 1753 






705 


21 


33 


2,590 j 
2,7901 
5,461 1 


19. Wards'bo, 


Nov. 7, 1780 


80 


1786 


1,102 


29 


38 


20. Westmin'r. 


Nov. 9, 1752 


1741 




1 ,556 


44 


35i 


21. Whiting'n]. 




1770! 


1780 


1,391 


39 


36' 


3,126 


22. Wilm'ton, 


Apr. 25, 1751 






1 ,296 


39 


331 


4,074| 


23. Windham, 






1 


757 


24 


3U 1 


1,878 
79,034! 




J 


27,442 


762 


35 j 



the greater part of it is hilly or mountainous. The high 
est summit in the county is Manicknung mountaitrin 
Stratton. 

Streams. West river is the principal stream and wa- 
ters more than half the county. The south western 
parts are watered by Deerfield river, and the north 
eastern parts by William's and Saxton's rivers. Green 
river rises in Malborough, crosses the corner of Hali- 
fax, and runs through the western part of Guilford 



When was Windham co. incorporated 7-scitled .'-population?— towns?— jquar« 

miles ?— persons to a square mile ? — what town fir^t settled 1 — first organized! 

most populous ?— most wealthy 7— How is Orange co. situated ?— bounded I 

18* 



210 



GEOGRAPHY- BY GOC.NTIES. 




into Massachusetts. West riTcr, though a considera- 
ble stream, furnishes very few good sites for mills. 
There are, however, many good mill privileges on its 
branches, and on the other streams in the county. 

Falls. Bellows Fall are in Connecticut river, and be- 
long to New Hampshire, but the available water power 
is o^i the Vermont side, and therefore, may be regarded 
as belonging to this county. The amount of fall in the 
river here is about 42 feet. The first bridge over the 
Connecticut, was built here in 1785, by Col. Enoch 
Hale. 

Pouch'. There are several small ponds in this county 
but none of them large. There are two in Marlborough 
called Allen's pond and south pond, each of which is 
U mile long and three-fourths of a mile wide. Saiv- 
daicda pond in Whitingham is so called from an Indian 



WcKi river ?^*. lb er riv 



err ?■- what falls .'—pond* ?— of Sawdawda ? Whsi 



WlN&HAM COtJNTrj 211 



of that name who formerly lived near it. This pond is 
gradually decreasing by the formation of land over 
the water, which is said to rise and fall with tiie water 
ef the pond to the extent of 70 or SO acres. 

Springs. There are several mineral springs in this 
county. One in Guilford, and another in Whitingham, 
have been places of resort for invalids. 

Geoloffy. The rocks of the western part of the coun- 
ty are Green Mountain gneiss, with some patches of 
gneiss proper. Next east of this is a narrow range of 
talcose slate and steatite, extending from north to 
south through the county, passing fhrough the eas- 
tern part of the towns of Windham, Jamaica, Wards- 
borough, and Dover, and the western part of f-^ewfane, 
Marlborough and Halifax.. Connected with this on the 
borders of" Newfane, Dover and Marlborough, is an 
extensive bed of serpentine. The remaining part oT 
the' county to the east belongs mostly to the calcareo- 
mica slate formation, embracing some considerable 
patches of granite. gneiss, hornblende, and argillaceous 
slate. There is a range of argillaceous slate in thn 
eastern part of Dummerston, Brattleborough and Guil- 
ford, which has been opened in several places, at which 
it has been quarried for many years for gravestones and 
roofing slate. It is of good quality, and, nov*' that the 
rail roads have furnished the means' of transportation, 
there will doubtless be a great increase in the amount 
prepared for market. 

Marl. Beds of marl are found in Dummerston, 
Westminster, and probably in other towns, but they 
are less common, and less extensive than they are in 
the calcareo-mica slate formation farther north. 

Ores. Ores of iron, copper, and lead have been found 
in the county, but only in very small quantities, and a 
few particles of gold were obtained a few years ago 
from the soil in Somerset. 

Minerals. The variety of minerals found in this coun- 
ty, is very considerable, among which may be mention- 
ed the following. Actynolite is found in Windham, 
Grafton. Newfane, and some other towns. Bitter Spar 
is found in Grafton, chalcedony in Newfane ; Kyanite 
at Grafton and Bellows Falls, lluate of lime at Putney 



Fprin^s? — rock in the western part ?— next east ? — remaing part ? — argillaccoui 
el>ue ?— What is caid of it ?— of murl ]— what ores ?— what minerals ?— building 



212 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

and Rockingham, marie prehnite. prinite and tremolite 
at Bellows Falls, scapolite and schorl inBrattleborough, 
talc in Grafton, Windham and Newfane, and steatite 
in Rockingham and Vernon. 

Building Materials. Granite or gneiss suitable for 
building stone is found, either in boulders or in ledges, 
in various parts of the county. The range of stea1;ite 
through the central part of the county, furnishes in 
several places a good material for fireplaces, ovens, 
hearths, aqueducts. &c. Clay and sand suitable for 
bricks are found in various places. In Brookline there 
is a bed of pipe clay. 

Soil and productions. The soil of the county generally 
may be regarded as of a medium quality. The mead- 
ows along Connecticut river are not surpassed, per- 
haps, in fertility by any lands in the state. Much of tiie 
upland too is very productive, while some p<irtions are 
comparatively hard, gravelly and barren. The produc- 
tions in 1840 were as'follows : 

Horses, - - 4.969 Rve. - bushels, 23,502 
Cattle, - - 42.661 Buckwheat, •' - 13.387 
Sheep, - - 114;336 Indian corn, " - 139.924 
Swine, - - 29.435 Potatoes, ' " - 743;366 
Hay, tons - 70,398 Wheat, " - 23,796 

Maple Sugar,lbs. 423,400 Barley, " - - 8,120 

Wool " 222,260 Oats, " - - 17S.7G1 

Pursuits. The census of 1840 shows that 10^201 per- 
sons were engaged in agriculture, 122 in commerce, 
1850 in manufactures and trades, and 178 in the learned 
prefessions. 

Education. The number of school districts is 250. in 
222 of which there are 7612 scholars between 4 and 18 
years of age, averaging a little more than 34 to a dis- 
trict. Several schools of a higher order have been es- 
tablished in the county, one of which is the Leland i 
Classical School at Townshend. 

Villages. The princii)al villages are Brattleborough, 
Bellows Falls in Rockingham and Newfane. Newfane 
is the shire town. The Asylum for the Insane, one of 
the most important institutions in the county, is located 
at Brattleborough. 
History. The first civilized establishment in the state 

materials .''—soil .'—productions ?— pursuits ?— school di-stricts .'—scholars ?— what' 
Tillagea .'—when and where was the first civilized estabUshnaui in Vt. .'— b/ 



WINDHAM COUITTT. 



eis 



was Fort Diimmer, in this county. It was built by the 
province of Massachusetts in 1724. Shortly afterwards 
other forts were built in Hinsdale, (now Vernon) and 
Putney. 

These forts vrere merely blockhouses made of loo^s 
with portholes for muskets. One of these was still 
standing in Vernon, so latel}'- as 1843, and as it is said 
to be the one in which Mrs. Howe, Grout & Gafficld and 
their families were taken prisoners by the Indians on 
the 27th of July, 1755, and carried into captivity, we 
have inserted below a drav/ing of it ag it appeared in 
1840. 

whom ?— Yrhai was th«lr ferte ?— Wh&t hiatorical evant is mantioned t 




,,^m^ 



214 



"W'INDSCR CODNTT. 



•XIV. WI?x^DSOR COUNTY. 



Incorporated, Feb. 
First settlement, 
Fopulation in 1840, 



17^1 

1763 

40,356 



Number of towns, - - 23 
Square miles, - 893 

Pop. to the square mile, 45;J 



TOWNS. 



Chartered. 



S3t- jOrga-iPop. iij Sq. Pop. to Gi: List, 
lleil. Iiiize- 1840. milcF sq. mile. 1S47. 



Andover, jOct 
Baltimore, jOct 
Barnard, l.TuIy 
Bc^thel, 1D3C. 
Biidgew'r, July 
Cavendish, Oct. 
Chester, iFeb. 
Hartford, !.July 
Hartland, 'July 



Ludlow, 
Norwich, 
Plymouth 
Pomfret, 
Rtading, 
Rochester 
Royalton, 
Sharon, 
Springfield, Aug. 
Stockh'e, July 
Weathfi'd, Aug 
Weston, I 
Windsor, 'july 
Woodst'k, J uly 



Sep. 
Julv 
iJuly 
I July 
July 
Nov, 
ii^ec. 
A US' 



16, 1761 1776 1781 

19, 1793 1794 

17,17S1 ]775il77b 

23, 17791779jl782 

10, 1781,17791785 

12, 1761176 »! 

22, 17541764 1767 

4, 176! 1764 i76e 

10, 1761 173311767 

16, 1761 17851 179;^ 

4, 1761'l-rG3;i76' 

6, 176l'j777;i7>-7 

8, 1761 1770 1773 

6, 178! I7:217i:(; 

6, ]76i 



20, 17. >^ I 
17,1761 
20,176! 

21, 1761 
20, 1761 

17:>0 

6, 1761 

K), 1761 



:771 
1765l7Crt 



1764 



1792 
17 Vo 



764 1773! 

768180;' 



877 
155 
1,774 
1,885 
1,363 
1,427 
2,30:. 
2,194 
2,341 
i.:^6-^ 
2.21.-^ 
1,417 
1,774 
1,363 
1,396 
1,917 
1,571 
2,625 
141P 
2.081 
1,032 
2,744 
3,315 



40,356 893 



27 

31 

38 a 

47*^ 

262 

37 1 

56! 

53^ 

32. 

44 
35* 
35a 
534 

58^ 

29^ 

54:1 

-47 

76k 

73§ 



^1.913 
483 

3,809 
4,638 
2,859i 
6.0411 
7,486 
6,561 
7,750 
3.960 
5,136 
3,151 
4,211 
3,b90 
3,18] 
5,204 
3,175 
8,404 
2,795 
6,708 
2,394 
8,804 
9,968 



451 112,521 



Situation. Wimlsor county is situated on the east 
side of the Green mountains in the South half of the 
State, and borders upon Connecticut river. 

Boundaries. It is bounded on the north by Orange 
county, east by the west bank of Connecticut river, 
which divides it from New Hampshire, south by Wind- 
ham county, and west by Rutland county. 

Extent. The extreme lenfxth of this county from north 
tto south is about 4S miles, nd its width from east to 



V/lien TTRS Windsor couuiv incorporated ?-sctile(i?— population J-towns -.^q. 
,niles --papulation lo S(|. mile?— first town settled .'— most populous ?-»OJi 
wealiliyT d:c. How is WiHdliam ceunty situated ?—byuudea 7— cxteBi * 



II 



GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES-. 



215 




west 30 miles ; and it contains 893 square miles. It is 
divided into 23 townships. 

Shire Town. "Woodstock. 

Surface. Excepting a few small but fine tracts of 
intervale along the rivers, the whole surface of tho 
county is uneven. The range of Green mountains 
stretches along the western part, but the most elevated 
summits of this portion of the range are in Rutland 
county. The most important isolated mountain in the 
county is Ascutney, which lies on the line between 
Windsor and Weathersfield, and is 3320 feet above the 

Shire t»wn ? What is sa)«l of the surfaea ? 



21fi WINDSOR COUNTY. '' 

level of the sea. The following heights above the level 
of the sea have been obtained by measurement: — 
Ascutney mountain, - - - - 3320 feet. 
Rail Road Grade. Bethel Village, - 556 '• 

Mouth of White River, Hartford, - 306 " 

" Otta auechee, Hartland, - 306 " 

Connecticut River, Windsor Village, 288 " 

Streams. The principal streams are White river in 
the northern part, Otta Q,iiechee river in the central 
part, and Black river in the southern part. These all 
run into the Connecticut which washes the eastern 
border. Some of the head branches of West river and 
Williams river rise in the south western part. These 
several streams furnish sufficient water power in all 
parts of the county. 

Ponds. Natural ponds are not numerous in this coun- 
ty. Barnard pond and two or three ponds in Plymouth 
are the only ones worthy of notice. 

Curiosities. The falls in Black river at Springfield 
and Cavendish are, perhaps, as great curiosities of the 
kind as any in the State. The former are 4 1-2 mile 
from the junction of Black river with the Connecticut. 
The amount of fall is 110 feet in 40 rods, 50 of which 
is nearly perpendicular. The channel in some places 
is not more than three yards wide ; and for 20 rods the 
river passes through a deep ravine from three to five 
3^ards wide, walled by perpendicular ledges from 60 to 
80 feet high. 

In Cavendish the river has v/orn down a cliasm 109 
feet deep. Numerous potholes have been worn in the 
rocks here, of almost every form and dimension. 

In the limestone rock in Plymouth are some inter- 
esting caves. The largest consists of seven distinct 
apartments, and extends in one direction 100 feet. The 
rooms are of various sizes, some of them being 20 feet 
wide and 15 high. These caves are about 50 rods from 
Black river, and Vv^ere explored by the author of this 
book in July, 1813. 

Geology. The principal rock formations in this coun- 
ty are talcose slate, and the calcareo-mica skate forma- 
tion. The towns of Ptochester and Stockbridge, and 

What heights given? — tho principal streams ] —what ponds 7 — what curi- 
•sUies?— in Springfield"! — OaTindish'!— Plymouth ?— what are the j-ock forma- 



TTINDSOR COUNTY. 21? 

the greater part of the towns of Bethel, Barnard, Bridge- 
water, Plymouth, Ludlow and Andover, belong- to the 
former, while all to the eastward is embraced in the 
latter. The rocks in Weston and the western part of 
Ludlow are Green mountain gneiss. Gneiss proper 
occupies several small sections in the calcareo-mica 
alate regions, the most considerable of which are As- 
cutney mountain, and Hawks mountain, between Balti- 
more and Cavendish. It occurs also in Hartford and 
Hartland. 

In the talcose slate formation there is a narrow range 
of steatite which appears in Plymouth, Bridgewater, 
Bethel, and Rochester, and has been wrought at seve- 
ral places. 

The rocks in the south part of Bridgewater, and in a 
large part of Plymouth, and a part of Ludlow, are a 
light gray limestone. This is the only limestone in the 
county which makes good lime ; and about 2000 hogs- 
heads of it are manufactured annually and transport- 
ed to different parts of the county. Portions of this 
limestone are suitable to be worked for marble, some 
of it being white and some a variegated breccia. 

Adjacent to this limestone, and occupying the east- 
ern part of Ludlow and western part of "^Cavendish, is 
a large developement of serpentine rock, portions of 
which furnish that beautiful variety of marble, known 
by the name of Verd Antique. It is used for centre 
tables, fire places, and ornamental purposes, receiving 
a high polish, and being very little affected by the 
strongest acids. 

Marl. Shell marl exists in Barnard, Royalton and 
Woodstook, and probably in other towns. From the 
bed in Banuird coiisidfrable quantities of lime have 
been manufactured. The bed in Wood.->tock occupies 
about a dozen acres, and is probably six or eight feet 
deep- 

Ores. Iron ore is found in several places, and is the 
only metalic ore found in the county in sufficient amount 
to warrant Vv'orking. The only deposits of iron ore, 
which have been worked, are in Plymouth, and the ore 
is of several different varieties. A furnace was erected 
here, by Mr. Tyson in 1S37, and has been kept in smc- 



tion ; -what to'jvns belong lo th^ talcnse formation ? — what ie ?aid of ;rneis3 7— 
f^ieaiiie ? — what lime-tnao is mentioned '— wiiat is paid of serpentine ?— of shell 
marl .'—iron ore ?— Tvsou'sfiiriiace 7— niinerala ?— name tha pnnoJpci! .' -what 

19 



2.8 GEOGRAPHY BY COUNTIES. 

cessfal operatlo:i. The principal bed from which the 
jurnace is supplied, is about one fourth of a mile westoC 
i!ie furnace, and is the variety called brown oxide, or 
In-own hematite. This bed lies some distance below 
the surface of the ground, and appears to be inexhaus- 
tible. 

Minerals. The variety of interesting minerals in this 
county, is very considerable. In the range of steatite 
are found beautiful specimens of talc at Bethel and 
Bridgewater, and at the latter place fine crystals of bit- 
ter spar occur; and at the former, elegant crystals of 
actynolite. Actynolite is also found in Norwich, and 
also kyanite. Fine large crystals of schorl are found 
in Bridgewater, in white quartz. Manganese is found 
at Plyniouth in connexion with the iron ore and stalac- 
tites were abundant in the Plymouth caves when first 
discovered. 

Building Materials. The steatite in Bethel, Bridge-- 
•rater and Plymouth ; and the limestone in Plymouth, 
and serpentine in Ludlow and Cavendish, are valuable 
for many architectural purposes ; but the most valua- 
ble building stone is the gneiss or granite, in the eastern 
part of the county. The state prison at Windsor, and 
tJiejail at Woodstock, are built of this material. Good 
'olay and sand for bricks are common in various parts 
of the county, and the limestone in Plymouth turnishes 
a plenty of very good lime. 

Pursuits. The census of 1S40 shows that 11,219 were 
t'len engaged in agriculture, 204 in commerce, 2346 in 
manufactures and trades, and 297 in the learned pro- 
fessions. 

Soil and Productions. The surface of the county is. 
very uneven ; but the soil is. good, and produces fine 
crops of corn, grain and grass. The statistics of 1840 
are as follows : 

Horses, - - 8.440 Rye, bush. - 46,12d 

Cattle, - - 51.863 Buckwheat, •' - 49 330 

Sheep, - - 234,826 Indian Corn, " - 168.897 
Swine, - - 22,831 Potatoes, " - 1.072.753. 

>Mieat, bush. - 56,659 Hay, tons, - 107.109 

Barley, " - - 5 164 Maple sugar, lbs. - 462.444 
Oats, '' - - 331,026 Wool, '• - 552,770 

Villages. There are almost as many pleasant villa- 
ges in this county as there are towns. Among the most 

13 said of building niateria".^ ?— pursivits V- pjoductions ] — dillages ?— IIow many 



WINDSOR COUNTY. 



219 



important are Woodstock, Windsor, Norwich. Royalton 
Springfield and Ludlow. Wood.stook, i.s the Shire town 
and besides the court house and jail, the \allage contain.*? 
4 churches. The Vermont State Prison is located at 
Windsor, and Noiwich Unirersity at Norwicli, 




Woodstock Court House. 
Education. The number of school districts is 313, in 
231 of which there are S036 scholars between the ages 
of 4 and 18 years, averaging about 34 1-2 to a disirlct. 
Besides these, there are in the county, Norwich Univer- 
sity, the Vermont Medical College^ and several acade- 
mies. 

History. The first settlements were made in thi.^ 
county in 1763, at Hartlnnd and Norwich. At the com- 
mencement of the revolution, settlements had been 
made in tbe county all along Connecticut river, and at 
several places on Ottaquechee and White river. In 
1780, the settlement on White river, in Royalton, was 
visited by a party of Indians, who killed several persons, 
burnt the buildings, destroyed the cattle, and carried off 
25 prisoners into captivity. 

pchool districts !— scholars in ail of the m ?— what higher ins-timtiQiis ?— when 
>Yas the CO. settloU 1— where ]— Give an account of ihe burning ef Royalton J 



GOVERNORS OF VERMONT. 



Thomas Chittenden, 1778— 178S & 1790—1796, 18 years 



Moses Robinson, 
Isaac Tichenor. - 
Israel Smith, ' - 
Jonas Galusha, - 
Martin Chittenden. 
Richard Skinner, 
C. P. Van Ness, - 
Ezra Bntler, 
Sam'l. C. Crafts - 
Wm. A. Palmer, - 
No choice, 
Silas H. Jenison, 
Charles Paine 
John Mattocks, - - 
Wm. Slade, - - 
Horace Eaton, 
Carlos Coolidge, 



1789 

1797—1806, & 1808, 

1807 - - . - 

1809—1812 & 1815—1819 

1813, 1814, 

1820—1822 

1823—1825 

1826, 1827, 

1828—1830 

1831—1834 

1835 

1836—1840 - - - - - 

1841, 1842, - . - - 

1843, . - - - 

1844; 1845 

1846, 1847, - . - - - 

1848. 



INDEX TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Fig. 

1 Dip of Rocks, 

2 S Synclinal and ? 

3 } Anticlinal axes, ^ 

4 Unconformable Stia 

5 Dikes, 

6 Mountains, 

7 Geoloijical Map 

8 Paludina. - 

9 Planoribis, 

10 Cyclas, 

11 Trilobife, • 

12 Graptolitc 

13 Orthia, 
11 ColuBflnaria, 
•'c Orthocera, 



19: 



Pago.lFig. Page.lFig. Pafff. 

2J16 Maclurea, • 62140 Chittenden Coumy, 155 

17 Sec. of S. mountain, 6.:i!4] Sanguinolaria t'usca, lo9 
1^ Rocking Stones, 7r)|42 Saiacava rugosa, 1.'j9 

19 19 Greenstone Dikes, 7f.i4n Burlington, - 162 

2120 Porph'y and Green'e 77 44 Essex County, - 16.T 
29 21 State House, - 10l'4-, Franklin County, 169 
44 22 Coat of Arms, - 103 46 Crand Isle County, 17S 
51 23 Dcv. on Bills of Cr. 103J47 Laaioille County, 181 
51 24-;3-2 Indian Relics, 107-1 10 4S Orange County, 187 
513:J Vt. University, 122:49 Orleans County, 

58 34 Addison County LS^SoO Ruiland County, 
60'^ Geological Section, 137151 Wash'gton County, 
5^36 Oven.Monkton, 13Si'vi Windham^County , 
62^'' Bennington County, 143|53 Bridgeman's Fort, 
5-^35 Caledonia, . 119154 Windsor County, 



192 
199 
204 
210 
213 
215 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

IIIIMI-^M ^l|r; 'i< i w i>'Mil 



014 065 906 A m 



